[Accidental hypothermia in the elderly].

Abstract

The incidence of accidental hypothermia varies greatly in the literature. Accidental hypothermia has many physiological complications, and treatment of accidental hypothermia is not risk-free, the greatest risk being rewarming shock with high mortality. Being elderly and needing help for activities of daily living is a negative prognostic factor in accidental hypothermia, and mortality rate both in-hospital and 30-day mortality is higher in the elderly frail population. There is no international consensus on rewarming strategy, and further research on this subject is recommended in this review.