Maternal hypothermia from environmental exposure in the third trimester

• Published in: International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Main Authors: Margot Rosenthal, Vanessa Poliquin, Adelicia Yu
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2020
• Subjects: pregnancy; hypothermia; accidental hypothermia; fetal bradycardia; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic; Circumpolar Health; International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2019.1710894; https://doaj.org/article/df3cdcb8588447c7bdc38e77bb6c38fd

A primigravida at 32 weeks gestation developed hypothermia after prolonged exposure to the elements at -30.0°C. Her core temperature dropped to 29.8°C with associated foetal bradycardia. Passive rewarming was undertaken with forced warm air blankets and warmed IV fluids. The foetal heart rate normalised once normothermia was achieved. Serial foetal assessments showed appropriate growth and normal Doppler studies. She went to on deliver a healthy term infant. This case highlights conservative management and prioritising of maternal well-being with a good maternal and foetal outcome.