Which of the following is NOT a severe physiologic consequence of low body temperatures in newborns?

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Hypoglycemia, which refers to low blood sugar levels, is often not directly classified as a severe physiologic consequence of low body temperatures in newborns. While it can occur in various clinical situations, the other options listed are more directly tied to the physiological responses elicited by hypothermia.

When a newborn experiences low body temperature, several severe responses are triggered. Metabolic acidosis occurs because the body may shift to anaerobic metabolism due to impaired oxygen delivery, producing lactic acid and resulting in a decrease in blood pH. Increased oxygen consumption happens as the body attempts to generate heat through metabolic processes, which can further complicate the infant's condition. Apnea is another critical response where the newborn may have periods of cessation of breathing, which can be dangerous and requires immediate attention.

In contrast, while hypoglycemia can be influenced by numerous factors in newborns, it is not as closely associated with hypothermia's acute physiological effects as the other listed conditions. This delineation helps clarify why hypoglycemia stands out as the choice that does not fit the conventional spectrum of severe physiological consequences in the context of hypothermia in newborns.

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