Why is it important to control the temperature around newborns?

Controlling the temperature around newborns is vital primarily to maintain their body heat and prevent hypothermia. Newborns have a relatively high surface area-to-volume ratio, which makes them particularly vulnerable to rapid heat loss. Their ability to generate heat is also limited due to their immature metabolic processes and lower brown fat stores. If a newborn becomes hypothermic, it can lead to serious complications such as metabolic acidosis, decreased oxygen delivery, and impaired cardiovascular function. Therefore, ensuring a stable and warm environment helps in maintaining their core body temperature, which is critical for overall health and wellbeing.

While preventing skin infections, improving color and tone, and enhancing breathing capacity are important considerations in neonatal care, they are not the primary reasons for temperature control. A well-regulated temperature supports all aspects of care, including the newborn's skin integrity and respiratory function, but the cornerstone of immediate newborn management is the prevention of hypothermia through adequate thermal control.