The Causes, and Signs for Low Temperature in Babies

When newborns cry mothers get worried. A little uncertain change in the activities is even noticed by moms. Mothers report the low temperature in their infants, this condition could occur in both newborns and adults. There is a condition known as hyperthermia, which is observed as having a drop in the temperature below the normal. Well, the decrease in temperature in infants is a concern as they cannot maintain body temperature. If the problem isn’t diagnosed early, it could become a severe issue that could lead to mortality.

How to Identify Low Temperature in Babies?

At the time of delivery, the body temperature of babies doesn’t develop to regulate. It is recommended to give essential care at the time of delivery and the beginning days of childbirth. The average body temperature in infants varies between 35.5℃ to 37.5℃ when checked orally, temperature, when checked with the armpit, is 36.5℃ and 37.5℃, when checked rectally it is 36.6℃ and 38℃, and when checked through the ear it is 35.8℃ and 38℃

The condition is normally characterized by the following three stages;

• Moderate hyperthermia — 32.0–35.9℃
• Cold stress — 36.0–36.4℃
• Severe hypothermia — 32℃

Signs of Low Temperature

It is important to keep checking the temperature and diagnose the problem early on. By detecting the signs of low temperature or hypothermia, it helps to identify the problems in the initial phases. Here are some common signs that are helpful to detect the problems early.

• Sucking problem while breastfeeding.
• Low or week cry.
• Feet are observed to get before the body.
• The reactivity to incitements becomes slow or sluggish.

Apart from this, children are at risk of having a severe cold injury that is categorized by slow, shallow, and lethargic perspiration, metabolic acidosis, low blood sugar, and slow heartbeat.

• The other severe symptoms include;
• Cyanosis
• Toughness in the skin especially on the limbs and back.
• Redness of extremities and face.

Causes of Low Temperature

In babies, the problem of low temperature or hypothermia is a complicated but preventable condition. If you want to prevent the problem in your babies it is important to know the major causes.

1. Environmental factors play a significant role in worsening hypothermia, as the body of newborns loses heat that leads to low temperature. Do not delay the wrapping and drying and bathing right after the birth of the baby, as it could give rise to hypothermia in tots.
2. Hypothermia is a severe symptom of certain infections in infants. Those two common infections are neonatal sepsis and meningitis.
3. The risk of hypothermia can lead to some severe deficiencies such as Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency, Coenzyme Q10 deficiency, and Menkes disease. Other risk factors are; additional body area related to weight, Asphyxia, and a bigger head in the part of the body.
4. There is a chance of having hypothermia in the babies who are born with a weight below 1,500g and premature birth in 28 weeks. It is important to take care of the babies who are premature and born with low weight.
5. Babies with low blood sugar in the body are at risk of hypothermia. Hypoglycemia could be diagnosed in infants at the time of birth or after birth.