Babies and Older Adults Have an Increased Risk of Cold Injury

Overview

Babies

Babies, especially newborns, are more likely to suffer injury from cold temperature exposure.

• They have a large body surface area compared with their weight. Their body heat is lost more rapidly when exposed to cold weather conditions.
• Their ability to regulate body temperatures is not well-developed. They are not able to shiver (which warms a person up).
• They don't have much fat under their skin (which keeps them warm).

Older adults

Older adults are more likely to have a cold injury, especially hypothermia, because:

• Their normal body temperature may decrease with age.
• They can't regulate their body temperature as well. They do not produce as much heat energy. They also have less body fat.
• Their blood vessels do not narrow (constrict) and conserve body heat as easily.
• They do not shiver as much. Shivering warms the body.
• Their mental awareness of changes in temperatures may change.
• They have medical conditions that increase their risk for hypothermia. Some of these conditions include:
  • Arthritis.
  • Thyroid disease.
  • History of a stroke.
  • Alzheimer's disease.
  • Parkinson's disease.
  • Diabetes.
  • Heart failure.
  • Poor nutrition.
  • Multiple sclerosis.
  • Body infection (sepsis).
  • Skin conditions, such as psoriasis.
• They are more likely to be using medicines that may affect their response to cold.
• They may live alone and have fewer resources to keep them safe from cold injury. They are more likely to have poorly heated homes.