Peripheral skin temperature during hospitalization and allergic disorders in non-NICU neonates >35 weeks

This study explored the relationship between peripheral skin temperature during hospitalization (PSTDH) and long-term allergy-related diseases. A prospective cohort study measured PSTDH in non-NICU human neonates >35 weeks gestation (n = 577), and followed them for 4-5 years. Quartile grouping and restricted cubic splines were used to determine cutoff values. Four analytical methods-chi-square test, logistic regression, propensity score matching, and inverse probability of treatment weighting-were applied to assess associations between lower PSTDH and outcomes including bloody stool, necrotizing enterocolitis, cow's milk protein allergy, asthma, rhinitis, food allergy, and drug allergy. Neonates with higher PSTDH showed lower incidences of bloody stool (aOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.14-0.56), rhinitis (aOR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38-0.88), allergic rhinitis (aOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.18-0.90), allergic dermatitis (aOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.24-0.91), and food allergy (aOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38-0.91). These findings suggest that both axillary and peripheral skin temperatures deserve equal attention in neonatal care.