Several factors can affect a neonate’s ability to regulate temperature:
- Gestational Age: Preterm infants have underdeveloped thermoregulatory mechanisms. - Birth Weight: Low birth weight infants have less insulating fat. - Environmental Temperature: The ambient temperature in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) must be carefully controlled. - Health Status: Illnesses, particularly those affecting the central nervous system, can impair thermoregulation.
