Hypothermia in the north east of Scotland

The aim of the study was to establish the incidence of hypothermia in the Grampian region, and to examine the accuracy of routine reporting of hypothermia on hospital discharge records. From 1990-1994, 167 patients were admitted with an SMRI diagnosis of hypothermia. An admission temperature of under 35 degrees C was recorded in 47 (28%); rectal in 37 (confirmed hypothermia) and not specified on non-rectal in 10 (possible hypothermia). Most admissions were during the winter months in only 18 cases of the 47 patients with confirmed or possible hypothermia was a secondary cause not apparent. Isolated hypothermia is rare in Grampian. In most cases other disease is the underlying cause.