Question

When a newborn shows signs of fever, how should parents respond? While considering medication, there is also concern about the potential effects of medication on infants. Should one immediately take the baby to the hospital in poor weather conditions?

Answer

The normal body temperature range for newborns is between 36°C and 37°C under the armpit. If the temperature exceeds this range, it is considered a fever and requires immediate attention. Fever is usually caused by pathogens, so the first step is to check if the room temperature, incubator temperature, or hot water bag temperature is too high and adjust it appropriately to observe if the body temperature decreases. When the room temperature is close to 30°C, if the mother’s milk supply is insufficient, leading to a decrease in the baby’s intake, it may cause dehydration and fever in newborns. Generally, antipyretic medication should be used only after the body temperature reaches 39°C. It is recommended to first adopt physical cooling methods, such as using a warm towel to wipe the forehead, neck, armpits, limbs, and root of the thighs.