Accidental Hypothermia

Accidental hypothermia was studied in 11 patients, five of whom died. This condition occurs spontaneously, usually in a cold environment, and should be suspected in the comatose hypotensive patient. It is easily missed because regular clinical thermometers do not record extremely low body temperatures. It is distinguished from other forms of hypothermia by the very low body temperature and by the absence of recognized causes of hypothermia. Ten of the 11 patients were either alcoholic or diabetic. Intravascular thrombosis was the most common complication leading to death.