What is the normal temperature in babies?

“The normal temperature of babies is the same as in adults”, says Dr. Mónica Soto, a general practitioner, graduated from the UNAM School of Medicine.

“It is considered to be within the range between 35.5 to 37.2°C. When babies are born they have a lot of adipose tissue that keeps them warm, that’s why they are almost always around 36 or 37.2°C”, adds the expert.

When are we talking about a fever or a low-grade fever?

“Low-grade fever is considered when the body temperature rises above 37.5°C and we are talking about fever from 38°C and up. When the body temperature arises, we immediately have to control it by physical means to avoid seizures, especially in children under five years old”, explains Soto.

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What is fever?

According to the Mayo Clinic, a fever is a temporary increase in body temperature, usually due to illness. Having a fever is a sign that something out of the ordinary is happening in the body.

“For an adult, a fever can be annoying, but it’s usually not a cause for concern unless it reaches 39.4°C or higher. In infants and toddlers, a slightly elevated temperature can indicate a serious infection”, Mayo Clinic says in the article Fever, Causes, and Symptoms.

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Depending on the cause of the fever, there are other symptoms such as:

• Sweating
• Chills and tremors
• Headache
• Muscle pains
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability
• Dehydration
• Overall weakness

“An unexplained fever is a greater concern in infants and children under five years of age than it is in adults”, explains Mayo Clinic.

You have to be very careful. Call your baby’s doctor right away if your child’s temperature is over 38°C, is irritable, lethargic, or uncomfortable, or if he has symptoms of a cold, cough, or diarrhea.

Translated by: Liga M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version: Here

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