What is a common indication of cold stress in newborns?

A common indication of cold stress in newborns is mottled skin and metabolic acidosis. When newborns are exposed to cold environments, their bodies may struggle to maintain normal body temperature. This can lead to a series of physiological responses, one of which is the constriction of peripheral blood vessels to conserve heat. This vasoconstriction results in a mottled or mottled appearance of the skin due to reduced blood flow.

In addition to the skin changes, cold stress can also lead to metabolic acidosis. Newborns may experience increased oxygen consumption and develop hypoglycemia as their bodies expend energy trying to maintain their core temperature, leading to increased production of lactic acid and subsequent metabolic acidosis. Recognizing these signs is crucial, as prolonged cold exposure can impair the newborn's ability to thermoregulate and lead to further complications.

The other options, such as increased appetite, high blood pressure, and excessive sleepiness, do not typically correlate with cold stress. Increased appetite is generally associated with normal feeding behavior, while high blood pressure is not a common finding in newborns experiencing cold stress. Similarly, excessive sleepiness might suggest other issues such as infection or hypoglycemia rather than directly indicating cold stress.