Measurement Of Core Body Temperature In Preterm Infants

2 axillary temperature tax using a digital electronic thermometer model mds9656 medline industries mundelein il. Low admission temperature is an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in preterm infants1 thermal stability is enhanced by use of polythene bags during stabilisation2 but it has been suggested that this may induce potentially harmful hyperthermia3 we have measured the changes in body temperature during the first 15 minutes after birth in infants stabilised in polythene bags. Mean daily abdominal temperatures for the four infants ranged from 351c to 369c. What constitutes normal temperature in preterm and term infants is still unclear resulting in a wide range of temperatures being accepted as normal. Foot temperature means ranged from 353c to 371c. Core temperature is generally defined as the temperature measured within the pulmonary artery.

Continuous rectal measurement is a reliable method to measure body temperature but might have adverse effects. Body temperature is commonly measured to confirm the presence or absence of fever. Transcutaneous thermometry is reliable for monitoring core body temperature as indicated by rectal temperature in stable preterm infants in a convective incubator. 1 temporal artery temperature t ta using an infrared temporal artery thermometer model tat 5000 exergen corporation watertown ma. The neutral thermal environment nte has been defined as maintenance of the infants temperature with a stable metabolic state along with minimal oxygen and energy expenditure. An inadequate body temperature in preterm infants influences morbidity and mortality.

Temperatures measured at the four sites agreed closely in this group of largely normothermic infants. Temperature measurements were performed simultaneously within 2 minutes for each infant using three methods. For this research we have used the world health organization who guidelines 1997 for temperature range which is between 365c and 375c. An inadequate body temperature in preterm infants influences morbidity and mortality. Continuous rectal measurement is a reliable method to measure body temperature but might have adverse effects and is even contraindicated in case of low platelets or necrotising enterocolitis. And 3 rectal temperature t r using a soft flexible vinyl covered thermistor probe model ew 08432 00 cole parmer.

Hand temperature was very close to foot temperature in each infant with means ranging from 358c to 368c. However there remains considerable controversy regarding the most appropriate thermometer and the best anatomical site for temperature measurement. Core 5 cm beyond the anus with an electronic telethermometer rectum 2 cm with a mercury in glass thermometer axilla and between the skin and mattress. Body temperatures of 99 term and 44 preterm infants were measured at four sites. The nte is best achieved when infants can maintain a core temperature at rest between 365c and 375c.