Recurrent Hypothermia and Thrombocytopenia After Severe Neonatal Brain Infection

Abstract

Two children with multiple severe disabilities due to brain destruction by neonatal infection had recurrent hypothermia (<34°C) with associated thrombocytopenia (<50,000), and clinical hemorrhage. They also had milder, less consistent erythroid and myeloid cell line abnormalities. The hypothermia was presumed to be due to hypothalamic dysfunction. Rewarming was always followed by correction of hematologic problems, but normal temperature was difficult to maintain. Recognition of this entity may improve long-term management of some severely disabled children.