Body temperature in infants - methods and methods of measurement

When the child is still in the mother's womb, his body is not used to regulating the temperature of the body on his own. Thus, the newborn does not fully keep its temperature in equilibrium in the first months. Little babies are very prone to overcooling or overheating. Both are dangerous for a newborn, because, according to recent studies, they can lead to sudden death. For this reason, the body temperature in infants should be under constant control.

All newborns and infants have a higher body temperature than older children and adults. It is known that the correct temperature of the body in children is from 36.6 ° C to 37 ° C. It can vary depending on the time of day and night, as well as the activities of the child. Typically, the lowest body temperature in infants during the morning hours, after awakening, with a gradual increase in the evening. Especially the temperature can increase with active movements or even intense sucking of the breast. This is quite normal for young children, only if their temperature does not exceed 38.0 ° C.

If the hands and feet of the child are cold, this does not necessarily mean that your baby is cold. The sign of supercooling or overheating is the neck. How is the body temperature measured in infants? They have it not measured in the mouth and under the arm in connection with the dangers and inaccuracy of measurements. In small children, the best solution is to measure rectal temperature - in the rectum, which should range from 36.60C to 38.50C. With this type of definition, you need to subtract half a degree to get the correct result. The measured body temperature in infants in the ear should be within 35.70C-38.00C. An electronic or digital thermometer with this type of temperature determination is located near the ear of the child. Contraindications are diseases and infections of the middle ear.

If you notice, changing the diaper, that the child's skin has turned red, this may indicate overheating. Sweaty neck and sweat between the shoulder blades will be signs of an increase in body temperature. Hyperthermia of a child is especially noticeable in his behavior - he becomes capricious, does not sleep well. To avoid overheating and hypothermia in infants, the temperature of the air in the room where the baby is sleeping should be appropriately adjusted. To ensure that the body temperature in infants was normal during sleep, you need to choose bed linen for a crib of natural breathable fabrics. For example, pure flax, which is characterized by its natural properties of adaptation to body temperature. Thus, even bed linen can be very useful in balancing the child's condition. Do not use heavy blankets from sheep's wool to prevent overheating. If the temperature in the room is below 180C, a light blanket will become very useful. Otherwise, the baby will be hot, even if you put only pajamas on him.

The body temperature of children can be divided into four categories. The first type is the normal temperature in the range of 36.0 and 37.0 ° C. The second stage is a slight increase in degrees to 380C, a child with such a temperature becomes capricious, cries, languid and looks tired. If the thermometer shows a mark of 38.1 ° C, this is the beginning of the fever. The high temperature condition starts its report at 39.0 ° C. Fever in young children can be a symptom of various diseases. The body temperature in newborns is reduced by means of antipyretic drugs in the form of syrups, such as "Kalpol", "Efferralgan", "Panadol". Their doses should match the weight and age of the child. It is also convenient for small children to put candles - this will eliminate the possibility of suffocation and vomiting. In addition, with fever, it is necessary to remove the diaper and put the child in dry clothes.

How to measure the temperature of the child's body? Put the baby on his side or stomach and carefully spread it to the ass, lubricate the vaseline with an anus and insert the tip of the thermometer. Hold it in this position for 3-5 minutes and take away 0.5 degree from the results. For older children, measure the temperature under the arm, placing the child on a chair.