How does aggressive warming and hyperthermia affect outcomes in newborns requiring complex resuscitation with neurologic injury?

Aggressive warming and hyperthermia can exacerbate complications in newborns who are undergoing complex resuscitation, particularly when neurological injury is a concern. Elevated body temperatures can contribute to increased metabolic demands and potential damage to already vulnerable brain tissue. In the context of a newborn experiencing significant stress such as that from resuscitation, hyperthermia may lead to further neurological injury, complicating recovery and overall outcomes.

Research indicates that maintaining normothermia—i.e., keeping the newborn's body temperature within a normal range—is crucial for minimizing the risk of adverse outcomes. Hyperthermia can induce inflammatory processes and oxidative stress that can worsen neurological deficits, impair cellular recovery, and increase mortality risk in affected newborns. Therefore, managing body temperature carefully during resuscitation is essential in preventing worsening outcomes associated with neurological injury.