Why is hypothermia killing children in Gaza? | News about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

In just one week of cold weather that has enveloped Gaza, six babies all over the enclave died of hypothermia.

As Israel continues its attacks on Gaza and its hospitals, its restrictions on who can enter Palestinian territory mean that access winter help and medical intervention also remains limited. Israel’s war against Gaza has killed more than 45,500 people, most of them children and women.

Here’s what you need to know about the condition that has killed several infants and threatens a population of 2.3 million people, most of whom have been displaced from their homes and are surviving in the extreme cold with inadequate food and drinking water.

What is hypothermia?

Hypothermia, which literally means below normal heat, is a condition that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it.

The body normally maintains a fixed, warm core temperature of about 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) using various mechanisms, such as metabolic heat production, which involves digesting food or moving muscles.

Core temperature must be maintained at approximately this level, between a narrow range of 36.1C (97F) and 37.2C (99F), depending on the individual, time of day, and activity level. This allows vital organs, such as the brain and heart, to continue to function properly.

However, when the body can no longer compensate for heat loss and internal temperatures fall dangerously low, the body enters the state hypothermia.

At what temperature does hypothermia occur?

Hypothermia depends on the internal temperature of the body, not on the external temperature, because it can develop even in mild cold, not only in freezing.

A person can develop hypothermia even at temperatures above 4C (40F) if they become cold from rain, wind, or immersion in cold water.

Medically, hypothermia begins when the core body temperature drops below 35C (95F), about two degrees below average.

The severity of the condition depends on how low the internal temperature drops:

• Mild hypothermia: 32–35C (89.6–95F)
• Moderate hypothermia: 28–32C (82.4–89.6F)
• Severe hypothermia: Below 28C (82.4F)

What are its signs and symptoms?

What happens to the body depends on the severity and stage of hypothermia.

During initial exposure to cold, the body begins to lose heat through the skin. Wind or water accelerates this process by removing a thin layer of heat around the body.

In order to conserve heat, blood vessels in the skin constrict, reducing blood flow to the surface. This traps more heat near the vital organs, but causes the fingers, toes and other extremities to feel cold and numb.

To generate more heat, the body begins to shiver, and breathing and heart rate increase to pump warm blood to vital organs and support metabolism.

However, mild confusion, clumsiness and fatigue may occur as the cold begins to affect the brain and muscles.

As exposure to cold continues, heat loss outpaces the body’s internal attempts to produce heat and moderate hypothermia occurs. The shivering stops when the muscles run out of energy, and a feedback loop makes the situation worse: as the metabolism slows down, the body produces even less heat.

Heart rate, breathing and metabolic processes further slow down as the body tries to conserve energy. As this vicious cycle continues, the gap between heat lost and heat produced grows.

Eventually, the drop in internal temperature becomes severe.

The brain’s ability to function declines, leading to unconsciousness. Cold disrupts the heart’s electrical system, causing irregular rhythms that can lead to cardiac arrest.

Without prompt medical intervention, vital functions may fail completely, resulting in death.

Can hypothermia be stopped?

Yes, hypothermia can be stopped if timely steps are taken.

Recovery from moderate to mild hypothermia includes moving the person to a warm, dry environment, removing wet clothing and covering with blankets to keep the body warm.

Warm, non-alcoholic drinks can help if the person is conscious.

Severe hypothermia, however, often requires medical intervention. This includes passive warming with heated blankets or active warming techniques such as giving warm intravenous fluids or warming the blood.

Blood warming involves taking blood from the body, usually through a large catheter, warming it using a specialized machine, and re-infusing it into the body.

Are babies more at risk of hypothermia?

Infants are at greater risk because their bodies lose heat faster than adults.

This is because their bodies are shaped differently. Compared to adults, they have more skin (surface area) for their size (body mass). This means that they lose heat more quickly through the skin, especially in cold environments. Because their small bodies cannot produce heat as efficiently as adults, they are at greater risk of catching cold.

They also may not show obvious signs of cold stress, making it difficult to recognize hypothermia.

Also severe malnutrition increases the risks hypothermia. Restrictions on food and medicine entering Gaza, since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, mean that the enclave is witnessing starvation-like conditions in a year.

What are the current temperatures in Gaza?

In the last week of December 2024. temperatures varied between approximately 19C to 20C (66F to 68F) and nighttime lows between 11C and 12C (52F and 54F)

However, the current winter in Gaza is harsh for those living in tents or without proper shelter, with heavy rains and strong winds have destroyed temporary blankets, wetsuits and blankets.

With limited access to fuel, electricity or gas heaters due to strict restrictions imposed by Israel, many residents resort they cut trees for firewood to stay warm and cook.

How cold is it in Gaza and does it snow?

During the winter months, especially in January, average low temperatures can fall on around 9C (45F), with daytime highs near 18C (65F).

Although winters in the enclave are not particularly harsh, heavy downpours and its coastal location can make it colder. December and January are too the rainiest months in Gaza.

It doesn’t usually snow in Gaza, but it does on rare occasions registered in the past, such as December 2013.