why do children more often survive the effects of hypothermia better than adults?

Question

Using the surface area/volume ratio? A dummy answer would be appreciated.

Answer 1

there surface area to volume ratio is different. Think about it, a 10 yr old kid has the size about 4ft and 70lbs? These are just estimates I havent seen any 10 yr olds lately. But an adult is say 6ft and 180lbs. So he is 1.5 times as tall but over 2.5 times as heavy.

Mass = Density * volume.

Assuming all people have same density this means that larger people, adults, have a lot more volume than kids.

Since they only have a little more surface area and A LOT more volume this presents a problem.

Also, the thermoreceptors on an childs skin are more receptive and will cause vasoconstriction ( blood vessels to get smaller) better than adults. This vasoconstriction will lead to better heat retainment. This is why little kids have to pee when in the cold. Their vessles constrict and their kidneys excrete more water to "thin" the blood to account for the smaller vessels.
Hope Ive helped. Good Luck

Answer 2

Infants, not children would be more likely to survive hypothermia because they go into a kind of suspended animation.