Final answer:
The first step and top priority in managing a newborn to prevent cold stress is skin-to-skin contact with the mother. This method initiates the breakdown of brown fat for thermoregulation and also facilitates breastfeeding, aiding in the baby's immune system development and gastrointestinal tract colonization.
Step-by-step explanation:
To avoid metabolic problems brought on by cold stress, the first step and number one priority in managing the newborn is c) Skin-to-skin contact with the mother. This method, also known as kangaroo care, provides the warmth the newborn needs to maintain a stable body temperature, thereby preventing cold stress. Newborns generate heat through nonshivering thermogenesis, a process where brown adipose tissue is metabolized. The breakdown of brown fat is crucial, as it is the newborn's primary source of insulation and can be broken down to generate heat for thermoregulation.
Other methods such as increasing room temperature, providing warm blankets, or administering warm fluids are supplementary measures. However, skin-to-skin contact is often considered the most effective initial step as it also facilitates exclusive breastfeeding, which introduces colostrum to the infant, helping to enhance the immune system and provide essential nutrients. Additionally, it aids in the development of the neonatal gastrointestinal tract, which is initially sterile until the consumption of breast milk or formula.
Understanding the physiological adaptations, such as the change from fetal to neonatal gastrointestinal and urinary systems, is essential in delivering effective neonatal care and preventing complications like hypothermia, which could result from an improper management of the neonate's body temperature.