• P T Thorburn, R Monteiro, A Chakladar, A Cochrane, J Roberts, South East Anaesthetic Research Chain (SEARCH), and Mark HarperCCDepartment of Anaesthesia, Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK..
• Department of Anaesthesia, Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK. Electronic address: patrick.thorburn@nhs.net.
• Int J Obstet Anesth. 2021 May 1; 46: 102963.

BackgroundTemperature regulation in women undergoing emergency caesarean section is a complex topic about which there is a paucity of evidence-based recommendations. The adverse effects of inadvertent peri-operative hypothermia are well described. Hyperthermia is also associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, an increased risk of obstetric intervention and increased treatment for suspected sepsis. We conducted a multi-centre observational cohort study to identify the prevalence of hypothermia and hyperthermia during emergency caesarean section. S: Participants undergoing emergency caesarean section were recruited across 14 sites in the UK. The primary end point was maternal temperature in the recovery room. Temperature was measured using a zero heat-flux temperature monitoring device.ResultsTwo hundred and sixty-five participants were recruited over a 12-month period. The prevalence of hypothermia (<36.0°C) was 10.7% and the prevalence of hyperthermia (>37.5°C) was 14.7% on admission to recovery. The prevalence of hypothermia, normothermia, and hyperthermia differed among type of anaesthesia: 71.4% of the hypothermic group had received a spinal anaesthetic whereas 76.9% of the hyperthermic group had received epidural top-up anaesthesia. There was a significant decrease in maternal temperature between the time of delivery and admission to the recovery room of 0.20°C (95% CI 0.15 to 0.25, P<0.001).ConclusionsBoth hypothermia and hyperthermia are prevalent findings in mothers who undergo emergency caesarean section. Therefore, accurate temperature measurement is essential to ensure that an appropriate intra-operative temperature management strategy is employed.Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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