ABSTRACT
Neonatal hypothermia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in preterm and low birth weight babies especially in developing countries. This study was performed to describe the frequency, associated risk factors and outcome of neonatal hypothermia in admitted cases. This was an observational study carried out in prospective manner. Study population consisted of 500 neonates admitted to neonatal unit of the Children's Hospital, Lahore during the months of January and February 2006. Various variables were recorded in a predesigned proforma and outcome was analyzed. The overall frequency of hypothermia was 34.8%. It was significantly associated with low birth weight [p<0.05], prematurity [p<0.0.5], shifting from outside Lahore [p<0.05], and history of birth asphyxia [p<0.05]. Mortality in hypothermic neonates was significantly higher than the non hypothermic ones [p<0.05]. The risk of mortality was recognized to be higher in hypothermic than the non hypothermic admitted neonates