How does temperature regulation differ for infants compared to older children during transport?

Infants have a higher risk of heat loss due to their unique physiological characteristics. Their skin has a higher surface area-to-volume ratio, which contributes to more rapid loss of body heat in comparison to older children. Additionally, infants have less subcutaneous fat, which provides insulation, making them more susceptible to environmental changes in temperature.

During transport, it is essential to provide external warming measures, such as heated blankets or incubators, to help maintain their core body temperature. This is crucial because maintaining normothermia is vital for preventing hypothermia, which can lead to increased respiratory demands and other complications.

While older children and adults have more developed thermoregulation mechanisms allowing them to adapt better to temperature changes, infants require additional support to manage their body temperature effectively. This distinction underscores why monitoring and protecting the temperature of infants during transport is particularly important.