What does an infant's susceptibility to evaporative heat loss primarily stem from?

An infant's susceptibility to evaporative heat loss is primarily attributed to increased skin permeability. Newborns have a much thinner stratum corneum compared to older children and adults, which allows for a greater rate of transepidermal water loss. This characteristic makes them particularly vulnerable to evaporative heat loss, especially in environments that are not adequately controlled for temperature and humidity.

In addition, an infant's inability to effectively generate heat through shivering or increased metabolic activity further amplifies this risk. Understanding that the skin plays a critical role in thermoregulation, particularly in neonates, underscores the importance of maintaining a stable environment for such vulnerable patients to prevent hypothermia and associated complications.