Moms and Bubs

Baby body temperature may indicate fever in infants. Baby fever occurs when the body temperature rises above the normal range which is about 37°C or 98.6°F. However, when the temperature is taken from the armpit, mothers may expect a little lower baby body temperature. There are different methods of taking baby body temperature such as electronic thermometer placed on the armpit, fever strips on the forehead or infrared ear thermometers. Baby fever may be expected from time to time as the baby grows though it does not necessarily mean that the baby has a serious illness. However, if there are other signs or symptoms that can be observed, the baby may be brought to the doctor for proper diagnosis.

A higher baby body temperature may indicate some viral or bacterial infection. The fever stimulates the body to fight the infection and it also creates an environment that will weaken the microorganisms that have invaded the body. There are times when a baby does not have any infection but may have a higher baby body temperature than normal. Parents especially mothers have to know that babies have not yet fully developed their systems including those that are used to control baby body temperature. Thus, when mothers over wrap their babies or when the temperature in the house is very warm, their body temperature rises.

Mothers may also observe other symptoms aside from the baby body temperature that indicate baby fever. The baby may appear flushed and may not have the appetite to suck milk or eat food. The baby may also cry incessantly. If there are other signs such as vomiting or diarrhoea as well as difficulty in breathing, mothers will have to bring their babies to the hospital or call for emergency help. The baby may also need medical attention if the baby body temperature or fever does not go down within 24 hours or if it shoots up to 39°C or 103°F.

When a mother feels that the baby body temperature is higher than normal, she may give some safe medication to the baby. She has to give the baby lots of fluid intake to prevent dehydration from occurring. The mother should also be very observant as there are a few cases when a baby fever may cause febrile convulsion or seizure. When this happens, it is necessary to bring the baby to a doctor to determine possible causes of the seizure. The best thing that a mother can do at this time is not to panic and to call for immediate help.

There are several medical conditions that newborns are prone to like sepsis in babies. This may be due to some bacterial infection in some parts of the body such as the lungs and the intestines. At times it may also occur in other body systems including the skin. Sepsis in babies may cause their immune system to attack and destroy their own organs as well as tissues. This happens when the newborn’s body starts fighting severe infection which causes it to over-react. The condition may also develop because of the presence of too much toxins in the body.

Sepsis in babies produces toxins that may affect not only the newborns’ temperature but also their heart rate and their blood pressure. This condition can become very serious because as it can affect body organs like the kidneys, the lungs, the brain and others. At times, sepsis in babies can also be fatal. Although most of those affected by this condition are babies, there are also instances when people may be affected whatever their age may be especially those who have very low resistance to infections.

Sepsis in babies is spread though the bloodstream so all organs in the body may be affected in a very short time. It is then important that babies get the proper treatment as soon as possible for their health safety. Newborns that will have fever should be diagnosed and treated immediately though it may be a little difficult to check if the symptoms are really indicating sepsis in babies.

The causes of sepsis in babies may include bacteria, viruses as well as fungi or parasites. Babies may even get the infection as they pass through the birth canal or the genital tract during the labor stage prior to delivery. Other babies may be infected because of their contact with other people right after birth. Pregnancy complications such as bleeding, difficult delivery, infections in the uterus, premature rupture of the amniotic sac as well as fever in the mother may also contribute to sepsis in babies.

Premature infants may also develop sepsis in babies while they are being cared for at the intensive care unit. Hospital-acquired infections are also possible especially when babies have very low birth weight and very weak immune system. Sepsis in babies can be a life-threatening condition so utmost care and caution should be observed. Newborns especially premature babies are more prone to this health problem. Though treatment for sepsis in babies is possible, there are lots of factors that need to be considered like age, health and medical history, tolerance to medicines, expected outcome as well as the opinions of the parents.