HYPERTHERMIA
Hyperthermia, i.e. core temperature exceeding 37.5°C, is of relatively lesser clinical significance in newborns, than older children.
Transient hyperthermia (overheating) is common in normal newborns due to ineffective mechanisms of heat loss, e.g.
sweating, and should not be taken as indicator of underlying disease. Sweating—a most important mechanism to control fever in adults, is immature in newborns/infants lt;3 months.Warmer care is a common cause of overheating in newborns, differentiated from true fever on the basis of— (a) normal appearance and activity, (b) pink skin (pale in fever), and (c) proportionately warm soles/palms with lt;2° difference between temperature at abdomen and hands (gt;3° in fever).
Persistent hyperthermia (fever) in newborns may be due to: (a) high environmental temperature, (b) infections (though hypothermia is more common), (c) dehydration, (d) CNS disorders, and (e) drugs, e.g. atropine derivatives.
Dehydration fever, lasting for 1-2 days, is a common problem in newborn during summer months due to poor fluid intake, specially in breastfed babies. However, baby remains alert and active despite fever. No treatment is needed, except monitoring for more serious causes.
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