Which statement is true about cold stress in newborns?

Which statement is true about cold stress in newborns?

• A. Newborns will shiver to generate heat
• B. They do not shiver; they may have decreased temperature and signs such as hypoxia and bradycardia
• C. Cold stress is not a concern in full-term infants
• D. They respond with increased appetite

Answer: (B)

Cold stress happens when a newborn loses heat faster than it can produce it. Newborns don’t shiver to generate heat, so they may become hypothermic instead of producing heat through shivering. As their body tries to warm up, their oxygen needs rise. If heat loss continues, that higher oxygen demand can lead to hypoxia, which can manifest as bradycardia along with signs of distress. So, the statement that newborns do not shiver and may have decreased temperature with hypoxia and bradycardia accurately reflects how cold stress presents. Cold stress can occur in full-term infants too, not just prematures, and increased appetite is not a typical response to cold stress.

Cold stress happens when a newborn loses heat faster than it can produce it. Newborns don’t shiver to generate heat, so they may become hypothermic instead of producing heat through shivering. As their body tries to warm up, their oxygen needs rise. If heat loss continues, that higher oxygen demand can lead to hypoxia, which can manifest as bradycardia along with signs of distress. So, the statement that newborns do not shiver and may have decreased temperature with hypoxia and bradycardia accurately reflects how cold stress presents.

Cold stress can occur in full-term infants too, not just prematures, and increased appetite is not a typical response to cold stress.