Why is maintaining normothermia in newborns important?

Maintaining normothermia in newborns is crucial primarily to prevent hypothermia and ensure effective metabolic function. Newborns are particularly vulnerable to heat loss due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio and limited ability to generate heat through shivering. When a newborn becomes hypothermic, it can lead to a number of serious complications, including impaired metabolic processes, reduced oxygen consumption, and increased risk of infections.

The thermoregulatory system in newborns is underdeveloped, making it essential for caregivers to provide an environment that maintains a stable and appropriate body temperature. When normothermia is achieved and sustained, it supports vital physiological functions such as cardiac output, oxygen delivery, and overall metabolic activity, all of which are critical for the newborn’s immediate health and longer-term developmental outcomes.

While aspects like appearance, skin integrity, and growth are important in their own right, they are not the primary reasons for strictly controlling temperature in newborns. Ensuring that newborns maintain a stable internal temperature is fundamental to their survival and optimal functioning in their early days.