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Factors affecting the development of night time temperature rhythms.
M R Lodemore1, S A Petersen, M P Wailoo
1Department of Child Health, University of Leicester.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|October 1, 1992
Summary
Infant rectal temperature shows a significant drop between 8 and 16 weeks of age, influenced by feeding method, sex, and birth order. This core body temperature regulation change is a key developmental milestone.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatal Physiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Establishing normal physiological parameters in infants is crucial for monitoring health.
- Understanding developmental changes in thermoregulation is essential for neonatal care.
- Previous research has not precisely identified the age-related shifts in minimum sleeping rectal temperature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age-related changes in minimum sleeping rectal temperature in infants.
- To identify factors influencing the timing of this thermoregulatory shift.
Main Methods:
- Continuous monitoring of rectal temperature in 26 infants aged 6-16 weeks.
- Weekly overnight temperature recordings.
- Analysis of temperature changes in relation to age, feeding method, sex, and birth order.
Main Results:
- A significant abrupt decrease in minimum sleeping rectal temperature from ~36.8°C to ~36.4°C occurred between 8 and 16 weeks of age.
- Breastfed infants, females, and firstborn infants exhibited this change earlier.
- Early changes were associated with lateral/supine sleep positions and older maternal age, and higher family affluence.
Conclusions:
- A distinct developmental shift in infant thermoregulation occurs between 8-16 weeks.
- Feeding method, sex, and birth order are significant factors influencing the timing of this change.
- This thermoregulatory maturation is a critical developmental milestone in early infancy.