Temperature in infants. Fever in a newborn: causes and treatment.

No matter how sad, but sooner or later every child gets sick, even toddlers under one year old who are completely on breastfeeding... What if a baby has a fever? There are a lot of options, tips too. Read and learn about fever in an infant. Do not measure the temperature of the child immediately after eating or during heavy crying, it will rise. Such a phenomenon as an increased body temperature in an infant cannot be ignored, a timely appeal to a pediatrician will help to avoid complications and significantly speed up the recovery process.
In infants, body temperature may deviate slightly from the accepted standard of 36.6 ° C. This is especially true for newborns, for whom 37.0 ° C is the normal temperature in the first days of life. Infant temperature: 37.2, 37.5 what to do?

Move the thermometer to the template for 3 seconds and read the value displayed after the beep. Measuring the temperature in the ear is similar to the accuracy of measuring the rectum, which indicates the actual body temperature. Thus, it measures the temperature quickly and safely, and the baby will not feel any discomfort.

Measures ear temperature in 4 easy steps. Open the thermometer and wait a few seconds until the measurement symbol appears on the screen.

  • Wait 1 second and read the indicated value.
  • Disinfect the tip of the thermometer.
It is important for hygiene to disinfect the tip of the thermometer, especially in the ear. For cleaning, you can use the alcohol-soaked wipes that you receive with your device.

A rise in temperature in a child always worries parents. But when it jumps temperature in an infant, young parents often almost panic. What should be done at an elevated temperature in infants? Should I shoot her down?

To begin with, the body temperature of a newborn baby can be slightly elevated during the first few days of life and be 37.0-37.4 ° C when measured in armpit... The final normal body temperature is established by the end of the first year of the child's life.

What can you do to reduce your child's fever at home?

Check constantly how high your fever is; just so you know at any time what steps to take to improve his condition. When he has chills, cover him with a blanket and remove when they have passed, or if you notice that the child is even more warm. To prevent this, give young liquid: breast milk or milk powder if it is less than 6 months old, plain water or water combined with natural juice if you are over 6 months old. Give him the right medication - if you are not sure what the right drugs and doses are, call your doctor. Do not use ice or cold waterbecause they will cause chills and then raise the temperature.

  • Dress him in lightweight and comfortable clothing.
  • Dehydration is one of the main risks associated with fever.
  • Do not take medicine for a child less than 2 months old without consulting a doctor.
  • Take a bath after you give him the medicine.
If all the methods for lowering your fever and treating your home sickness haven't worked, see your doctor - it could be a little worse.

The most common reason for a child's fever is infection... Also, the causes of fever can be allergic reactions, overheating (this is especially true for infants), endocrine and metabolic disorders.

To determine, what temperature is normal for an infant, you need to measure it several days in a row at the same time, when the child is healthy and calm. In the first year of a child's life elevated temperature it is worth considering not the deviation from the temperature of 36.6 ° C, but the deviation from the figure you set.

Here are some tips you should consult with a specialist: Fever does not decrease, the baby has difficulty breathing, diarrhea and vomiting, crying harshly, apathetic and not alert. Tell the doctor in detail about the child's condition and tell him what measures of fever you have taken so far - you will help him establish the correct diagnosis.

Now let's see what you need to do if your child has a fever. Therefore, if you go straight to the fever, the doctor will not be able to give you a correct and complete diagnosis. Here are some gentle and natural methods for reducing fever if you really want to, for your peace of mind.

Features of measuring body temperature in infants

There are three ways to measure a child's body temperature: orally (the thermometer is placed under the tongue), rectally (inserted into the anus), in the armpits. By the way, the well-known figure is 36.6 ° C. is relevant only if, if it is measured in the armpit or groin... If the temperature is measured by mouth (oral), normal rate will be about 37.1 ° C, and the normal rectal temperature (i.e. measured in the rectum) is about 37.4 ° C.

If he doesn't drink, sits down and becomes lethargic, sleepy, sick, run to the hospital. The onset of the fever is natural, beneficial to the body's mechanism that helps heal and shows that the line of defense is working perfectly. Try not to interfere with the ability to fight and heal the body through various interventions as much as possible.

  • The main danger for fever is dehydration, especially in young children.
  • Give them as much liquid to drink, even a teaspoon, if possible.
  • Dehydration is no joke for kids.
There is no mother who does not complain when a child has a fever.

The best thing measure the temperature under the arm not with an electronic, but with a mercury thermometer - it is more accurate. The child should hold the thermometer under the arm for 5-10 minutes, the child's hand should be held so that the thermometer does not fall out. For measuring rectal temperature there must be a special separate thermometer, electronic (it is safer), hold it for a minute. To measure temperature orally, there are pacifier thermometers; in this case, a mercury thermometer cannot be used either.

In principle, a fever up to six months requires consultation with a doctor, after six months you can only treat episodes of fever, but no more than three days, and only if it does not go away from 38 degrees. Depending on the experience of the mother, as well as for a child under six months old and for those over six months old. We cover all the details and we are talking all about baby fever.

Fever is the body's self-defense mechanism caused by viruses, germs and bacteria. A baby as young as six months old can also cause a fever from the teeth and from stress from a mother's absence, early weaning, or a reaction to certain foods. Fever also occurs after vaccines, in which case it is not advisable to lower it.

Fever in an infant is not a disease in itself... This is just a symptom of the disease. The most frequent reasons fever in infants are acute bacterial and viral infections. But the temperature can also jump from overheating, emotional stress, dehydration, teething, and central nervous system damage. It can also be a reaction to the vaccine.

Fever is a symptom, not a minor, fever indicates a possible health problem, and simply treating the fever does not resolve the cause. The normal temperature is below 37 degrees Celsius, and an increase above this value indicates with confidence that the self-defense mechanisms have taken effect. Up to 38 degrees, the temperature should not drop in children for six months. Although the parents are more aware of this detail, the fever does well. Children should be well hydrated, free of contamination, and supervised.

A protector evening is enough and observation of the baby at night, so that the temperature remains below 38 degrees. The situation is valid for viruses, at the beginning, after vaccination or during the teething period and can be applied up to 48 hours, after which medical intervention is necessary if the fever does not decrease.

Temperatures up to 38.5 ° C should not be reduced if you feel well. If your child is less than 3 months old, or suffers from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, or has a history of febrile seizures, the temperature should be lowered to 38 ° C or more. Good reasons for lowering the temperature with drugs are a temperature of 39 ° C and above, concomitant diseases of the central nervous system or poor tolerance to high temperatures.

Temperatures up to 38 degrees, which persist for three to four days, are not a cause for concern, and usually after that the fever goes away along with the reasons that caused it, most likely a viral infection. No fever over 38 degrees is panic. The best solution is to give your child as much liquid as possible and give him an anti-thermal dose. The little ones react quickly to external measures to reduce the temperature. Wipe your boots and feet with a damp rag, so make your forehead.

Do not use this method on your baby's back or chest. The reaction of children is very fast. Only a fever of 40 degrees, which does not lend itself to regular or rapid maneuvers, is a sign that something serious is happening and the child should see a doctor urgently. However, prior to the intervention of a physician, a parent should be aware that they should lower the temperature by using them, anti-thermal, cold compresses and moisturize their chicken holes.

The main recommended remedy for lowering fever in infants is paracetamol. (only you need to choose special "children's" drugs based on paracetamol). Panadol syrup can be used if the child is older than three months.

Ibuprofen suppositories for rectal use (children from 3 months to 2 years): as an antipyretic agent - acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, and other infectious and inflammatory diseases, accompanied by an increase in body temperature; post-vaccination reactions. As a pain reliever - pain syndrome of mild to moderate intensity (including headache and toothache, migraine, neuralgia, pain in the ears and throat, pain with sprains).

And age is an element that should make a difference in how you react. For up to six months, symptoms are a sign of serious problems and medical intervention is absolutely necessary. A small child becomes dehydrated very easily and can get worse at high temperatures, so once you stabilize the fever, you see your doctor.

A child who has a fever should be well hydrated. The first is that because of the temptation, sweating is released, so the child loses fluids that must be replaced by drinking water. The second reason is that fluids are needed to increase the efficiency of the lymphatic system, which causes the movement of white blood cells, the body's natural organisms, against the pathogen that causes the temperature to rise. In other words, many fluids mean more white cells are mobilized in the body.

Analgin and aspirin cannot be used to lower the temperature.! Analgin is prohibited due to the toxic effects on the child's body, and aspirin is prohibited due to possible side effects (Ray syndrome). But children over one year old can be given analdim - an analgin-based antipyretic drug.

It is best to give your child medication in the form of suppositories.... Firstly, it is difficult for a small child to swallow a pill. Secondly, the temperature in an infant is often accompanied by vomiting, so that the drug taken orally may not have time to be absorbed into the bloodstream and begin to act. Thirdly, the effect of suppositories is usually longer than that of tablets, suspensions, etc. Antipyretic drugs in the form of suppositories begin to act in 30-40 minutes, in the form of syrup - after 20 minutes.

What liquids do we give to a feverish child. Caution should be exercised when fever is associated with vomiting because an extremely serious vicious circle is created. In this case, the child should be seen by a doctor immediately because he quickly becomes dehydrated and the fever is difficult to control. Until a doctor has intervened, it is recommended that an anti-thermal agent other than oral is prescribed and the child will be given a very small amount of water or a teaspoon for five minutes.

You can also give your child a solution of water and electrolytes made from moisturizing powders found in pharmacies and should not be left out of the first aid kit in the child's home, regardless of age. If the child only has a fever, you can give him a drink: flat water, weak, unsweetened herbal tea. Macaws are recommended - slightly sour and pleasant to the taste or mint, refreshing. The little one can also drink apple juice or lemonade, slightly sweetened. If you do, you can also offer fresh orange juice only if it is done in the house and no juice is acidified or heavily sweetened.

In addition to reducing the temperature, it is very important to prevent dehydration. To do this, you need to give the child a lot to drink - water and fruit drinks. But you shouldn't force-feed a child. You also need to often ventilate the room. You can put a wet cloth on your forehead if your baby doesn't have chills. It is impossible to bring down the temperature with alcohol rubbing: alcohol is contraindicated for infants in any form!

Sometimes feverish kids enjoy drinking carbonated mineral water - and you can tweak this option, but be careful to make the most of the gas. In a sucking baby during episodes of fever, the mother has maternal discretion, regardless of the cause. The mother needs to moisturize well to maintain the baby's fluid.

Doctors say that in the case of children, fever is most often the result of a viral infection. Do not take antibiotics until the fourth or fifth day of the fever and only on the advice of your doctor. When viral infections, anti-fever, hydration, increased intake of vitamins, and a lighter diet are sufficient measures. If the fever fails, if associated symptoms such as coughing, antibiotics are needed.

A too high temperature in an infant is a reason to call a doctor... You need to hurry up with calling a doctor if your child is under six months old, if you cannot bring down the temperature. You also need to urgently call a doctor at the first sign of dehydration, seizures, rash, drowsiness, apathy, diarrhea, vomiting, in general, any deterioration in the child's condition and the appearance of new symptoms.

Viral infections cannot be avoided, but they are far from serious health problems; If the little guy goes to teams, stop him at home. During a fever he is not taken out - he may have other children, or his suffering may worsen; The little patient should be spoiled and hug, as much as possible, sit with him. The child feels safe if at least one of the parents is with him when he is not feeling well; Watch your fever - the thermometer should be your ally.

Many parents, after the thermometer scale rises above 37 degrees in newborns, begin to panic. But in fact, not always a high fever in an infant is one of the symptoms of the disease. Sometimes it can rise due to simple overheating: it is necessary to remove the jacket and warm pants from the child, as his body will cool down. For an adult, the norm on a thermometer is 36.6. But for a month old baby, this indicator can be changed upwards.

Create a game and measure its temperature five or six times a day. Enumerates time and value. You will know exactly how it develops, and this information is very useful for the doctor. Do not be afraid if he refuses to eat, this is almost normal, but will make him drink liquids. Measures how much liquor she drank. Effortlessly devised games and played together at the top of the bed. Maintain a comfortable temperature in the room where the baby feels. Make sure the air is humid. He just won't let him watch TV, maybe convince him to do something he doesn't want.

Any caring parent should be aware that the first week after birth, the baby's temperature will be around 37 - and this is normal. The thing is that the mechanisms of heat exchange in babies have not yet been formed, and this period can drag on up to 6 months. In newborns up to six months, the following is considered a normal change in temperature:

He doesn't need to follow a “healthy day” schedule. Let him sleep as he wants, but control his temperature. Rely on instinct: mothers have additional meaning when it comes to their baby. Call your doctor the first time you think that something is wrong with your child, something could get you out of control. Better a false alarm than a serious problem left unresolved!

Fever is the most common cause of pediatric consultation and may be present as a single symptom or be accompanied by other signs or symptoms. Depending on the duration, it can be acute, moderate, or prolonged. Fever is a physiological mechanism that has a beneficial effect on fighting infection. This reduces bacterial and viral growth and reproduction, stimulates the secretion of neutrophils, the proliferation of T-lymphocytes and at the same time facilitates the acute phase response of the body.

  • After birth, the body temperature is 38 degrees.
  • After 6 hours from birth, the temperature decreases, but it is unstable and can change throughout the day. The room in which the child is located also plays an important role.
  • Up to six months, the temperature can fluctuate in the range from 36.2 to 37.5. And this is normal in the absence of other symptoms of the disease.

Causes of the child's temperature rise

There are many reasons for which a baby may have a fever. The most common ones will be listed below:

  • Teething, when, against the background of a weakened immune system, it ranges from 37 to 38 degrees.
  • Side effects from vaccination.
  • Too hot in the baby's room.
  • Allergic reaction.
  • Weakening of immunity.
  • Neurological disorders. But this reason is extremely rare in newborns.
  • Viral diseases in which the temperature can rise above 38.
  • During the screams.

Physicians have repeatedly proven that babies who are breastfed have more stable immunity than those who are artificially fed. And therefore, such a symptom as a temperature in the range of 37-38 degrees is more common in children who are bottle-fed.

How to measure your baby's temperature?

If the mother thought that her child was hot, her temperature should be measured so as not to miss the development of a serious illness. The most plausible thermometer is mercury, but it is not recommended for use with newborn babies, as it can fall out and break.

Today in pharmacies there are many thermometers for children that are completely safe. But it is worth noting that not all of them show 100% true results, there may be an error of 0.2%. Therefore, before they measure the temperature of the child, you need to find out this error by comparing it with a simple mercury thermometer.

The most convenient and common thermometers include the following:

  • Pacifier thermometers are convenient for babies who are used to nipples. A significant disadvantage of such devices is that they are not always available in pharmacies. Thanks to this method, you can check if the baby has a fever even when he is sleeping, without causing any inconvenience to the baby.
  • Electronic thermometers that need to be kept for less than a minute. Their convenience is that after measuring the temperature, they emit a sound signal.
  • An ear thermometer that quickly detects the heat of the baby through the ear canal.
  • Test strips that change color as your body temperature rises. But thanks to them it is impossible to know how much it has increased.
  • A rectal thermometer is one of the unsafe ways to measure temperature. Thanks to him, it is possible to determine its level within 4 minutes, but at the same time the child must remain motionless.

Child treatment

Temperature is one of the unpleasant symptoms that every adult knows firsthand. But in order to alleviate the child's condition, it needs to be brought down with antipyretic drugs. You can find them in pharmacies without any problems: from budget to expensive ones. Medicines are available in different forms: in the form of candles, syrups, tablets that need to be crushed. But for monthly babies the most effective drugs are candles. Common medicines are as follows:

  1. Paracetamol.
  2. Ibuprofen.
  3. Nurofen.
  4. Cefekon.

But it is worth remembering that if the temperature is lower than 37.5 degrees, then it is not recommended to bring it down. Thus, the baby's body fights infection, thereby developing immunity to viruses. As a rule, a temperature that does not exceed 37 degrees does not cause inconvenience to the child and passes on its own.

Parents should understand that the higher the temperature has risen, the more difficult it will be to bring it down. And therefore, after a mark of more than 38 appears on the thermometer, action must be taken. Only a doctor who should examine the baby can prescribe treatment. If it is not possible to call a doctor, and it is necessary to eliminate the fever, you can do an enema. To do this, you need to add water to it with a temperature of no higher than 20 degrees. For babies, the volume of water can be reduced.

There are many effective and folk methods to reduce fever in a child. In order to cool the body, you can rub the baby with vinegar diluted in water in a ratio of 1 to 4. You also need to provide plenty of drink in the form of a warm liquid.