Monitoring temperature in babies

Monitoring temperature in babies can be done by three ways.

1.Axillary temperature:

Axillary temperature can be measured using an ordinary mercury thermometer.

A low reading thermometer capable of detecting hypothermia up to 30 degrees is preferred.

The thermometer must be kept in the axilla of the baby;s arm held tightly against the chest.

The axillary temperature is about 0.5 to 1 degree lower than a core temperature.

2.Skin temperature:

Skin temperature is measured by skin probes attached to warmers or incubators.

The skin probes provide continuous recording of temperature.

Usually the normal skin temperature is 36 to 36.5 degrees C.

3.Core temperature:

The core temperature can be measured with a rectal probe or a rectal thermometer.

This is an invasive procedure with the risk of cross infection.

This is used only during major surgeries.

This is used to assess the skin and core temperature difference.

The normal core temperature in babies is 36.5 to 37.5 degrees C.

Note:

To convert Celsius(centigrade) readings to Farenheit,multiply by 1.8 and add 32.

To convert Farenheit readings to Celsius,subtract 32 and divide by 1.8.