Accidental hypothermia in healthy adults (Hebrew)

A group of healthy adults was trapped by a blizzard en route to Saint Catherine in the Sinai desert and three of them died of hypothermia. A young woman aged 23 was found unconscious and transferred to hospital. On arrival 15 hours later her rectal temperature was 27°C. She was immediately immersed in a controlled temperature bath at 43°C. 15 minutes later she regained consciousness as her body temperature reached 32°C and after 45 minutes her temperature was 37°C. In addition to severe hypothermia she suffered from peripheral cold injuries. Laboratory tests revealed marked hematological changes, disturbances in acid base balance and elevated levels of serum enzyme. Within three weeks she recovered fully. A year later she showed hypersensitivity to cold and slight disturbance in electromyographic conduction of the nerves of the right hand. The other members of the group showed only superficial cold injuries.