What is the main consequence of untreated hypothermia in trauma patients?

The main consequence of untreated hypothermia in trauma patients is metabolic slowdown. Hypothermia can lead to significant physiological changes in the body, including a reduction in metabolic rate. When a patient's body temperature drops, various metabolic processes slow down, which affects the heart rate, respiratory function, and the ability of the body to respond to trauma and other stressors effectively.

In trauma scenarios, metabolic slowdown can exacerbate the patient's condition by impairing oxygen delivery to tissues, reducing the efficiency of coagulation factors during bleeding, and prolonging recovery times. It may hinder the localization and elimination of infection, and the body's overall ability to heal. This is why careful monitoring of temperature and proactive warming measures are critical in managing trauma patients.