What are the symptoms of fever in newborns?

Sep 28, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Xie Zixing

Introduction

Fever generally refers to an elevated body temperature. In newborns, fever usually presents with symptoms such as body heat, physical exhaustion, or persistent crying. Newborns have underdeveloped bodies and tend to become physically weak when they develop a fever. If they sweat excessively and do not receive timely fluid replacement, dehydration can easily occur, leading to physical collapse and symptoms such as lethargy and fatigue.

Fever generally refers to an elevated body temperature. In newborns, fever typically presents as body heat, physical exhaustion, or persistent crying.

1. Body Heat

The sweat glands and the thermoregulatory center in newborns are not yet fully developed. Their response to and tolerance of heat are usually poor. Heat production and dissipation functions are relatively immature, and with thin subcutaneous fat, their body temperature is easily influenced by ambient temperature. After developing a fever, newborns often exhibit varying degrees of body heat, and temperature measurements typically show readings exceeding 37.3°C.

2. Physical Exhaustion

Newborns' bodies are not fully developed. After developing a fever, they may become physically weak. If they sweat excessively and do not receive timely fluid replacement, dehydration can occur, leading to physical exhaustion, manifested as lethargy, fatigue, and weakness.

3. Persistent Crying

Newborns cannot verbally express physical discomfort when feverish and may cry persistently or appear irritable. They may display emotional instability, reduced appetite, and in some cases, high fever-induced seizures or varying degrees of convulsions.

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How to reduce fever in a newborn baby

A newborn with a mild fever can usually be managed with physical cooling methods if the body temperature does not exceed 38.5°C and the baby's mental state is good. These methods include giving more warm water to drink, wiping the newborn's armpits, palms, and soles with warm, damp towels, and using fever-reducing patches. If the temperature exceeds 38.5°C, medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be administered to reduce the fever.

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Symptoms of fever in newborns

Fever in newborns can cause elevated body temperature, sometimes rising above 40°C, along with cold hands and feet. Physical discomfort may make the newborn irritable and prone to crying. If symptoms are not relieved, sleep quality may be affected, leading to poor mental state. In some cases, gastrointestinal function may also be impaired, resulting in loss of appetite, reduced milk intake, and even vomiting in severe cases.

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Can air conditioning be used when a newborn has a fever?

Newborns with fever can generally have the air conditioning turned on, but the temperature should be set appropriately and not too low. If a newborn has a fever during hot summer months when indoor temperatures are high, using air conditioning is usually acceptable. Excessively high room temperatures can hinder the newborn's heat dissipation; therefore, appropriate use of air conditioning can help facilitate recovery from illness.