Fever in Newborns

 

Fever is an increase in body temperature more than 37.5 C (99.5 F). Fever is not a disease per se, but a symptom.  If fever is presents that mean there is something wrong with your body. Fever can be measured in three areas- armpit, mouth or rectum. Rectal temperature monitoring is most accurate but it can leads to rectal injury or perforation in inexperienced hand so most commonly used is armpit temperature in newborn and children. For babies below 3month of age fever is always an emergency. In babies fever can due to different reasons like infections or overheating or dehydration.

Most cases of fever have infectious etiology like common cold, diarrhea, pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis etc. In infections a newborn baby may have a low body temperature (less than 36C or 97F). Low body temperature associated with dullness or decrease activity is an medical emergency for babies. Also febrile babies with changes in activity (dull or irritable), decreases feeding or skin changes needs admission.

Babies can be overheated by excess clothing or by heat sources nearby, so dress your baby comfortably and avoid continuous using of room heater. Overheated babies have hot flushed face and may be irritable and crying.

Dehydration fever is also common in newborn babies. If your baby is not feeding adequately for any reason this can leads to dehydration and increase body temperature. Dehydration fever generally associated with increase sodium (salt) level in blood and other changes so may need hospitalization.

Conclusion: fever in newborn is not only indicate infection but also over-clothing and decrease feeding. oral paracetamol plus removal of cause is necessary. So always visit your doctor if your baby is having fever.