[Accidental hypothermia: glycemic, hematologic and blood amylase changes]

In twenty patients with accidental hypothermia the plasma levels of amylase and glucose, hematologic aspects, and the response to the treatment were studied. The treatment was made at the Intensive Care Unit of the Medical Division of the Hospital of the University of São Paulo. The data showed that high levels of serum amylase without clinical manifestations may be observed in accidental hypothermia. Hyperglycemia was more frequently observed than hypoglycemia. Patients with body temperature lower than 30 degrees C may show leukopenia which returns to normal values when the temperature is corrected. The pneumonia and sepsis were the causes of death in accidental hypothermia.