Severe Hypothermia Increases the Risk for Intensive Care Unit—Acquired Infection

Background. Although hypothermia is widely accepted as a risk factor for subsequent infection in surgical patients, it has not been well defined in medical patients. We sought to assess the risk of acquiring intensive care unit (ICU)—acquired infection after hypothermia among medical ICU patients. Methods. Adults (≥18 years) admitted to French ICUs for at least 2 days between April 2000 and November 2010 were included. Surgical patients were excluded. Patient were classified as having had mild hypothermia (35.0°C—35.9°C), moderate hypothermia (32°C—34.9°C), or severe hypothermia (