Which population is particularly vulnerable to hypothermia because they cannot shiver?

Infants are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia because they lack the ability to shiver effectively as a means of thermoregulation. Shivering is a principal response to cold that generates heat through muscle activity, but infants have an immature nervous system and muscle tone that limits this response. Their body surface area to volume ratio is also higher, making them lose heat more rapidly than adults. This, combined with their limited ability to generate heat through metabolism, makes infants especially at risk for developing hypothermia in cooler environments. Understanding this characteristic is crucial for managing and preventing hypothermia in this sensitive population.