Serial skin (sole) and rectal temperatures were simultaneously taken from 55 healthy and 26 septicaemic newborn infants to find out prospectively whether septicaemic newborn infants have any thermoregulatory reaction to the septicaemia, and whether regular temperature measurements could help in the early diagnosis of septicaemia. The septicaemic infants were divided into three groups: the first comprised eight feverish infants, the second 11 with normal temperatures who were in relatively good clinical condition, and the third seven with normal temperatures who were in poor clinical condition. All 55 healthy babies had rectal temperatures of less than 37-8°C and a mean rectal-sole temperature difference of 2-5°C. The first group of septicaemic infants had rectal temperatures over 37-8°C and a high mean temperature difference of 6-9°C, whereas the second group had rectal temperatures less than 37-8°C and a mean temperature difference of 4*7°C. Infants of the third group had a low rectal temperature and a low mean temperature difference (1.1°C).We conclude that septicaemic newborn infants show an adequate thermoregulatory reaction, which is reflected by a widening of the rectal-sole temperature difference of more than 3-5°C, except for those who are critically ill, who lose this ability. In view of these results infants with normal temperatures but with a rectal-sole temperature difference of more than 3-5°C should be suspected of septicaemia and investigated thoroughly. Fever is a common sign of infection in children and adults. The regulation of body temperature at a raised point (fever) is achieved by two main mechanisms: firstly, increase of heat production by shivering or non-shivering thermogenesis and, secondly, decrease of heat dissipation, mainly by peripheral vasoconstriction. The end result of these mechanisms is a widening of the gap between the core (rectal) and skin temperature gradients."It is often said that newborn babies, and espe- Patients and methods A total of 81 newborn infants were studied. Fifty five were healthy babies (group A) and the remaining 26 were septicaemic (group B). The diagnosis of septicaemia was made on the clinical picture and confirmed by positive cultures from blood or cerebrospinal fluid, or both, in 21 cases and by necropsy examination in five cases. All infants were studied between the fifth and the 12th day of life and, during the whole period of the study, all premature babies and those with septicaemia were nursed in incubators in an environment the temperature of which was regulated according to their weight and extrauterine age.5 Temperature measurements were made by a special tele-thermometer (Yellow Spring 43TA) and always by the same person (HL). The probe of the thermometer was inserted into the rectum to a depth of 5 cm in full term, and 4 cm in preterm babies and was left there for three minutes.6 Simultaneously the sole (skin) temperature was recorded by the special skin sensor of the instrument. The skin sensor was placed vertically over the sole ...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.