What to do with high body temperature in infants and newborns

The content of the article

• What is the temperature in the baby
• Normal temperature in infants
• Body temperature in newborns up to a month
• How does the temperature manifest in the baby
• Temperature 37
• Infant temperature 38
• Temperature 39
• Low temperature
• What temperature should be brought down in an infant
• Causes of fever
• How to knock down
• Antipyretics for the smallest
• What can not be done

Changes in the temperature regime in young children occurs when the protective functions of the body are activated, which react to getting into the infection. When the temperature of the baby rises above 37 degrees, most of the viruses and bacteria die, their reproduction in the body of the newborn baby is interrupted, resulting in a gradual extinction of pathogenic microorganisms.

What is the temperature in the baby

Physiologically arranged so that under the influence of the environment changes in body temperature. This process is called “body thermoregulation”, and its main center is one of the departments of the brain. In infants, this mechanism does not yet function correctly, so babies often overheat or cool. The body temperature in the baby is regulated by two processes – heat transfer and heat production.

The heat production in newborn babies is very active: a child produces much more heat than an adult, but giving it to children turns out badly due to the underdevelopment of sweat glands. The source of heat in children in the first months of life is brown fat, which accumulates in a small body from the end of fetal life. The subcutaneous layer of fat in babies is very thin, so the generated heat is not stored inside the body. Since newborns do not know how to tremble, when freezing, they actively tug with their legs and arms.

Normal temperature in infants

In newborns, before they reach the age of one year, the temperature indicator can reach 37.4 degrees (if the measurement occurs in the armpits). Such a conditional temperature norm in infants is due to imperfect thermoregulation of the child’s body. Sweating in babies is poorly developed, so they can not give away excess moisture. This necessitates closely monitoring the temperature changes of the baby.

Since each child is individual, the rate of the thermometer may vary. If an infant has an elevated temperature, while the baby is calm, eats well and looks, then there is no reason for concern. Also, parents should not worry if the baby has a slightly decreased temperature (up to 35.7 degrees) – this may be due to the individual characteristics of the child.

Body temperature in newborns up to a month

Young parents are interested in what temperature a newborn should have in the first month of life. Despite the fact that the thermoregulation in infants has not yet been debugged, it is considered to be normal temperature in the range from 36.3 to 37.5 degrees. Parents, in addition, need to know that in the evening, a tenth indicator of a thermometer can rise in children. At the same time, the temperature in the newborn drops slightly when he falls asleep. If the baby is hot during the day, his body heats up and, as a result, the temperature rises: in this case, the baby needs to be undressed for a while.

How does the temperature manifest in the baby

Until about one year of age, the average body temperature of the baby stays between 36.6-37.4 degrees, while there is no harm to his health. Later, the thermoregulation function is adjusted and the thermometer readings become more stable. If the temperature rises after eating, strong shouting, active movements or crying – this is considered the norm. Signs by which you can determine the temperature increase:

• rare urination;
• sweating of the body and head;
• hot, reddened forehead skin;
• hot limbs (while the child did not eat or cry);
• anxiety baby.

Temperature 37

Pediatricians consider this indicator acceptable in babies up to a year. Do not worry if the baby eats well, behaves actively, has normal and regular stools. A mark of 37 degrees on a thermometer is considered the norm, because due to poor thermoregulation, children quickly overheat and overcool. The body of the baby only forms the ability to control physiological processes, so this temperature in the baby does not require treatment. Caution mom and dad should be a situation in which the symptom is accompanied by others:

• poor appetite, lack thereof;
• loose stools;
• passivity;
• anxiety.

Infant temperature 38

This indicator indicates a protective reaction of the body of the crumbs to any stimulus. As a rule, babies easily tolerate this temperature, continuing to be active and having a good appetite. In this case, parents should often water the baby with warm water or infusion of herbs. It is not necessary to resort to methods of lowering the temperature, because in the range between 38 and 39 degrees the body’s immune functions are turned on. It is important to continue to monitor the baby in order to consult a doctor in a timely manner when other symptoms appear.

Temperature 39

With a thermometer of 39 degrees, the baby is lethargic, he can refuse to eat, becomes irritable, his eyes clouded, his legs and arms become cool, and breathing with a heartbeat becomes difficult. Such symptoms require urgent medical attention, so you do not need to try to help the baby yourself, otherwise the baby may experience serious complications.

Low temperature

If a newborn has a relatively low rate (35 degrees or so), while the baby behaves as usual, remaining active and calm, then there is no reason for panic. Perhaps this is the individual norm of the child or is associated with changes in the processes of thermoregulation. The kid is just beginning to adapt to external conditions, and temperature jumps are evidence of such adaptation to the environment. If the condition of the child does not worsen, there is no reason to see a doctor.

What temperature should be brought down in an infant

It is important for parents to know not only what temperature in a nursing infant is considered normal, but also at what indicator of a thermometer it is worth starting to bring down. Most doctors do not recommend lowering the figure below 38.5, unless the baby is at least 2 months old. In this case, it is better to use improvised means, rather than medications (taking the latter is justified at 39 degrees and above). If the thermometer for a long time shows above 37.5 – this may indicate the presence of childhood infections, so it is worth showing the child to the doctor.

Causes of fever

Responsible for thermoregulation is one of the centers of the brain, while the increased indicator of the thermometer serves as a symptom, and not an independent disease. The causes of fever can be different:

• infectious diseases that are provoked by viruses and bacteria that enter the body of crumbs;
• non-infectious (endocrine pathologies, neuroses, high emotional or physical activity, etc.).

In addition, the thermometer can read off scale when:

• stress
• overheating;
• dehydration;
• lesions of the central nervous system;
• acute reaction to vaccination;
• teething.

How to knock down

Almost any disease causes a baby to have a fever, which, in addition, may indicate overheating, a reaction to the vaccine, the onset of teething or dehydration. If the thermometer does not show a very high value (up to 38.5), while the baby does not bother: he eats well and behaves actively, you can alleviate his condition by wrapping in a wet diaper. To establish thermoregulation, in addition, it will be possible using the following methods:

• cooling the room to 20 degrees or lower;
• providing the child with plentiful drink in large quantities (water, compote, breast milk, decoction of herbs, any other warm drink);
• rubbing with a damp sponge (suitable for very small crumbs);
• temporary release of crumbs from clothes.

Antipyretics for the smallest

With viral infections and other diseases, an increase in the temperature indicator and a general deterioration in the well-being of the newborn are noted. In this case, you need to call a doctor who is likely to prescribe drugs with an antipyretic effect. What will break the heat from the crumbs:

1. Children’s paracetamol. Analogs are Kalpol, Panadol, Efferalgan. Children’s drugs are classified as antipyretic and can eliminate pain. Up to 6 years of age, it is recommended to limit yourself to 3-day treatment. In this case, syrup for children 6-12 months is recommended to give 5-8.5 ml with intervals in the intake of at least 4 hours. Rectal suppositories are used for children 3-9 months old, 1 suppository no more than 4 hours a day with the same interval before the next dose.
2. Ibuprofen. An antipyretic drug relieves inflammation and painful syndrome. It is forbidden to use the product until reaching the age of six months. The drug does not have strict contraindications for the duration of use, however, you can give candles or syrup to a child no more than 3 times a day. Ibuprofen is used exclusively at high temperatures. Suspension is given at the age of 6-12 months, 2.5 ml (maximum daily dose – 7.5 ml). Candles are given to children 3-9 months every 6-8 hours, older babies – 1 suppository every 6 hours.

What can not be done

It is forbidden to wipe the crumbs with vinegar, vodka or alcohol, as these liquids are quickly absorbed into the skin, causing serious intoxication. In addition, you can’t wrap too small children with wet, cold tissue – this can cause spasm of blood vessels, as a result of such treatment will cause convulsions. It is forbidden to wrap children in warm blankets or to put on too much warm clothing. Any medications and measures to reduce the temperature regime can be used only after consulting a doctor.

It is not recommended to treat crumbs with Analgin, since the medicine can provoke dangerous side effects: in many countries this drug is prohibited or strictly limited (it is used exclusively in a hospital). List of other medicines categorically prohibited for newborns, after which serious negative effects may occur:

• Phenacetin;
• Amidopyrine;
• Antipyrine.