Understanding Accidental Hypothermia in Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Accidental hypothermia or unintentional lowering of core temperature below 35°C is a critical, multi-organ emergency affecting diverse populations year-round. It arises from trauma, old age, homelessness, environmental exposure, or immersion in cold water. Objective: This review summarizes current evidence on classifying hypothermia by temperature, its pathophysiology, diagnostic features, and tailored management. The aim is to provide emergency clinicians a clear approach for recognizing, triaging, and treating hypothermic patients. Methods: A narrative review was conducted, sourcing data from peer-reviewed articles, surveys, observational studies, and guidelines via PubMed, covering definitions, physiology, epidemiology, and treatment. Results: Hypothermia is classified as mild (32–35°C), moderate (28–32°C), or severe (