thermoregulation
Pronunciation: ther-mo-REG-you-lay-shun
The physiological process by which newborns maintain normal body temperature.
Full Definition
Thermoregulation refers to the complex physiological mechanisms that maintain body temperature within normal limits. In newborns, particularly preterm infants, thermoregulation is immature and inefficient due to factors such as large surface area relative to body weight, minimal subcutaneous fat, and underdeveloped metabolic responses. Newborns are particularly susceptible to heat loss through radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation. Poor thermoregulation can lead to hypothermia or hyperthermia, both of which can have serious consequences including increased oxygen consumption, metabolic acidosis, and increased mortality risk.
Usage
Usage note: Often hyphenated when used as an adjective (thermo-regulation mechanisms).
In Context
- "Preterm infants require environmental support for effective thermoregulation during the first weeks of life." — textbook explanation
- "The incubator settings were adjusted to support the infant's immature thermoregulation mechanisms." — nursing notes