Thermal care of newborn represents the basic care provided to the neonate. In the developed world, thermal protection of the neonate has resulted in improved survival of the newborns, but this issue still needs to be addressed in developing world. Hypothermia in neonates is an important contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality; with premature and low birth weight (<1500 gm) infants at greatest risk of hypothermic injury.Hypothermia is regarded as one of the major causes of neonatal death in developing world. It does not require a special equipment to keep the neonate warm but requires knowledge of importance of thermal care and methods to keep the neonate warm. In this review we would be discussing, why newborns are at risk of hypothermia,basic mechanisms of thermoregulation and treatment of any grade of hypothermia, particularly severe hypothermia, as a neonatal emergency. The small but important interventions to protect newborn from hypothermia would not only reduce the individual mortality but also reduce the global burden of neonatal mortality. 

Keywords: Hypothermia; Low birth weight; Neonate; Prematurity; Thermal care; Thermoregulation.