Hypothermia in hamilton: searching for a syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of accidental hypothermia in people 65 years and older who were residing at home or were seen in emergency rooms of the four Hamilton hospitals between January 1 and March 31, 1980. For the purpose of this study, accidental hypothermia was defined as a rectal temperature or a core body temperature below 35°C. Persons with temperatures below 35.5°C were considered "at risk" of becoming hypothermic. Special low reading thermometers were supplied to professionals taking part in this study. No cases at risk of, or having, hypothermia were found at home. Nine people were found to be at risk and seven were found to be hypothermic in the emergency room group. None of these manifested the classical signs of hypothermia.