Is a temperature of 37°C considered a fever in children?

Generally speaking, whether a child has a fever at 37°C cannot be universally determined but should be assessed based on the measurement site. When measured under the armpit, it mostly falls within the normal range; when measured orally or rectally, it is slightly below the normal standard and does not need to be classified as a fever. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If measured under the armpit, the normal body temperature range for children is 36.0°C to 37.2°C. A temperature of 37°C falls within this range and is considered normal, not indicating a fever. At this time, it is important to observe the child's mental state. If eating, activity, and sleep are all normal and there are no other discomforts, no special treatment is necessary. If measured orally, the normal temperature range is 36.3°C to 37.5°C, and 37°C also falls within the normal range. If measured rectally, the normal range is 36.5°C to 37.7°C, where 37°C is slightly below the average and still does not indicate a fever.

When measuring a child's body temperature in daily practice, it is recommended to prioritize the armpit measurement method due to its simplicity and high safety. If multiple measurements show temperatures exceeding 37.3°C, or if the child shows symptoms such as listlessness or reduced appetite, then the possibility of fever should be considered.