Diagnosis and management of periodic hypothermia

Neurology. Clinical Practice
Nicholas A Blondin

Abstract

Hypothermia, defined as a core temperature below 35°C, can occur in a variety of clinical settings, including environmental exposure, shock, infection, metabolic disorders (such as hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, and Wernicke encephalopathy), malnutrition, and alcohol or drug toxicity. Typically, hypothermia should resolve with treatment of the underlying disorder. However, in rare cases patients experience recurrent episodes of hypothermia in the context of a stereotyped syndrome due to a hypothalamic lesion, which can be either congenital or acquired. The episodes are characterized by progressive confusion and a decreased level of arousal, hypothermia, and eventual resolution with a return to baseline. Additional clinical findings during episodes may include diaphoresis, asterixis, bradycardia, and thrombocytopenia. These recurrent episodes represent periodic hypothermia.

Citations

Feb 3, 2021·Clinical Autonomic Research : Official Journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society·Guillaume LamotteElizabeth A Coon
May 3, 2021·La Revue de médecine interne·B GramontP Cathébras

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