Mild hypothermia (32 to 35ºC)

Features of mild hypothermia (32 to 35ºC) include:

  • shivering, dysarthria, ataxia and apathy, but level of consciousness is not altered (the person is not confused or drowsy)
  • cool skin
  • cold diuresis (hypothermic patients are often volume depleted)1
  • retained ability to spontaneously rewarm if the person is removed from the cold environment.
1 Exposure to cold stimulates peripheral vasoconstriction to conserve heat. Shunting of circulation centrally produces an elevation of blood pressure which in turn inhibits arginine vasopressin (AVP) (also known as antidiuretic hormone), increasing urine volume.Return