National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) Practice Test

Decreased ability to maintain body temperature in a newborn is a direct sign of what?

1. Malnutrition

2. Hypothermia

3. Dehydration

4. Infection

The correct answer is: Hypothermia

The decrease in a newborn's ability to maintain body temperature is primarily indicative of hypothermia. Newborns are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio, limited subcutaneous fat, and an immature thermoregulatory system. This makes it challenging for them to retain heat, especially in a cold environment or if they are not properly swaddled and warmed after birth. Hypothermia in newborns can manifest as a lower body temperature than expected and may lead to complications if not addressed promptly. It is crucial for caregivers and healthcare providers to monitor the temperature of newborns closely and implement strategies to keep them warm, such as skin-to-skin contact with parents, using warming beds, or wrapping them in blankets. While the other options might cause variations in a newborn's health, they do not directly correlate with the ability to maintain body temperature in the same way hypothermia does. For example, malnutrition can lead to general health decline, dehydration affects fluid balance, and infection can cause fever, yet none are directly linked to the inability to maintain body temperature as hypothermia is.