Patient's question:
Tianjin condition description: Is 38.5 normal for my baby? Treatment history and effectiveness in the past 10 days: No hospital treatment was received. What kind of help do you want: I want to know if the body temperature of my 10-day-old baby is normal at 38.5.Doctor's answer:
The most normal skin temperature for newborns is maintained between 36-37°C. At this temperature, oxygen consumption is at its lowest, ensuring the baby's normal metabolism.Newborns, especially premature infants, have poor thermoregulation functions due to underdeveloped thermoregulatory centers. When the change in environmental temperature exceeds the baby's ability to regulate their own body temperature, it can lead to hypothermia or fever.
When measuring a baby's temperature, pay attention to the following points:
1. Generally, a baby's temperature in the afternoon is slightly higher than in the morning. If you need to record the baby's temperature, you can choose a fixed time each day, such as after the baby wakes up, before bathing, or in the evening, and measure it about three times a day.
2. If you notice that the baby has a fever, parents can provide the doctor with previously recorded data, including the dates and times of fever, temperature changes, fever frequency, duration, and related symptoms, as a reference for diagnosis.
3. Do not use an oral thermometer like adults, as newborns are too young to cooperate and have small mouths, which can pose a risk.