Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2025
Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management
Published on: November 21, 2017
Normal range and risk factors for deviating body temperatures during the first 24 hours in term-born infants under
Lars Tveiten1, Lien My Diep2,3, Thomas Halvorsen4,5
1Department of Pediatrics - Elverum, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Elverum, Norway lars.tveiten@sykehuset-innlandet.no.
Objective:
Body temperature for a known ambient temperature is not known for infants born at term. We aimed to determine the normal range and the incidences of hypothermia and hyperthermia during the first 24 hours of life in healthy term-born infants nursed according to WHO recommendations.
Design:
Prospective observational study.
Setting:
Norwegian single centre district hospital. Infants were observed during skin-to-skin care or when dressed in cots.
Participants:
Convenience sample of 951 healthy infants born at term.
Methods:
Delivery room temperature was aimed at 26-30°C and rooming-in temperature at 24°C. We measured rectal and room temperatures at 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours of age.
Main Outcome Measures:
Percentile curves for rectal temperature. Proportions and risk factors for hypothermia and hyperthermia.
Results:
The mean (SD) room temperature was 24.0°C (1.1), 23.8°C (1.0), 23.8°C (1.0)., 23.7°C (0.9) and 23.8°C (0.9). The median (2.5, 97.5 percentile) rectal temperature was 36.9°C (35.7-37.9), 36.8°C (35.9-37.5), 36.9°C (36.1-37.5), 37.0°C (36.4-37.7) and 37.1°C (36.5-37.7). Hypothermia (<36.5°C) occurred in 28% of the infants, 82% of incidents during the first 8 hours. Risk factors for hypothermia were low birth weight (OR 3.1 (95% CI, 2.0 to 4.6), per kg), male sex, being born at night and nursed in a cot versus skin to skin. Hyperthermia (>37.5°C) occurred in 12% and most commonly in large infants after 8 hours of life. Risk factors for hyperthermia were high birth weight (OR 2.2 (95% CI, 1.4 to 3.5), per kg), being awake, nursed skin to skin and being born through heavily stained amniotic fluid.
Conclusions:
Term-born infants were at risk of hypothermia during the first hours after birth even when nursed in an assumed adequate thermal environment and at risk of hyperthermia after 8 hours of age.
More Related Videos
07:27How to Administer Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Critically ill Neonates, Infants, and Children
Published on: August 19, 2020
04:34Mouse Body Temperature Measurement Using Infrared Thermometer During Passive Systemic Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Evaluation
Published on: September 14, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:28Factors Affecting Body Temperature
Factors may include:
01:07Body Temperature
The average body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F) and typically ranges from 36.1–37.2°C...
01:27Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal
Follow these steps for rectal temperature assessment:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves to prevent cross-infection.
Step 2: Position the patient in a side-lying position to better visualize the rectal...
01:14Temperature Measurement Sites
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Axilla
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves to maintain infection control and prevent cross-contamination.
Step 2: Prepare the patient by explaining the procedure to ensure understanding and cooperation. Ensure privacy, expose the axilla, and inform the patient that minimal movement is crucial for an accurate reading.
Step 3: Adjust the patient’s clothing to expose only the axilla. It minimizes...
01:29Decreased Body Temperature