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. However there remains considerable controversy regarding the most appropriate thermometer and the best anatomical site for temperature measurement.
Premature Infants Pediatrics Merck Manuals Professional
Measurement of core body temperature in preterm infants. Transcutaneous temperature taken at a thermally insulated site in this instance the babys back insulated by a non conducting mattress represents core body temperature once the insulated skin warms to body temperature. 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. Temperatures measured at the four sites agreed closely in this group of largely normothermic infants. Body temperature is commonly measured to confirm the presence or absence of fever. Foot temperature means ranged from 353c to 371c. 45 our observations suggested that this equilibration took around seven minutes fig 1.
For this research we have used the world health organization who guidelines 1997 for temperature range which is between 365c and 375c. The shielded abdominal skin temperature is known to correlate with the core body temperature due to near zero heat flux 12 13. Body temperatures of 99 term and 44 preterm infants were measured at four sites. Body temperatures of 99 term and 44 preterm infants were measured at four sites. Hand temperature was very close to foot temperature in each infant with means ranging from 358c to 368c. What constitutes normal temperature in preterm and term infants is still unclear resulting in a wide range of temperatures being accepted as normal.
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. A trained research nurse or neonatologist performed the rectal temperature measurements. Temperatures measured at the four sites agreed closely in this group of largely normothermic infants. The rectal temperature was considered the most accurate approximation of core body temperature the gold standard the same investigator measured the temporal artery temperature and axillary temperature of every infant. An inadequate body temperature in preterm infants influences morbidity and mortality. The target body temperature was set at 368c as recommended by.
11110344 indexed for medline mesh terms. Infant prematurephysiology monitoring physiologicmethods. Mean daily abdominal temperatures for the four infants ranged from 351c to 369c. Transcutaneous thermometry is reliable for monitoring core body temperature as indicated by rectal temperature in stable preterm infants in a convective incubator. Core temperature is generally defined as the temperature measured within the pulmonary artery.
Gallery of Measurement Of Core Body Temperature In Preterm Infants
