All of the following can occur in a normal neonate for heat regulation except _______: (A) Shivering, (B) Breakdown of brown fat with noradrenaline secretion, (C) Universal flexion like a fetus, (D) Cutaneous vasoconstriction
Answer is A. Neonates donot generate heat by shivering. Heat production in neonates happens by increasing the metabolic rate and oxygen consumption by releasing norepinephrine, which results in non-shivering thermogenesis through beta-oxidation of brown fat. Preterm and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants have scanty brown fat stores. Ref: Nelson textbook of pediatrics 21st edition pgno: 872