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Temperature Recording

Newborn babies are prone to hypothermia, which contributes to significant morbidity and mortality. Temperature of newborn should be maintained within normal limits for optimal healing and to minimize metabolic rate and oxygen requirement of baby.

PROCEDURE FOR RECORDING AXILLARY TEMPERATURE​

  • Wash and dry your hands. Place the digital thermometer under the baby's armpit.
  • Gently hold the arm against the body with support. Keep the thermometer in place until finished measuring (1-2 minutes).
  • Clean the thermometer with spirit swab after every use. Record the temperature reading in monitoring sheet and inform the doctor if the reading is abnormal.
  • Immediately do interventions to normalize temperature if the baby is having hypo- or hyperthermia. If hypothermia: monitor temperature every half hourly until 36.5 °C and then hourly the next 4 hours.

IMPORTANT POINTS​

  • Axillary temperature should be checked every 2 hours. Axillary temperature is representation of core body temperature. Do not add / subtract anything to this reading.
  • Normal temperature range: 36.5°C - 37.5°C (97.7°F - 99.5°F).
  • Every baby should have a separate thermometer.
  • Always assess baby's clinical condition while measuring temperature and record it in nurses monitoring sheet.
  • When the baby is under radiant warmer, ensure that temperature sensor probes are properly placed. Do not rely on sensors of radiant warmer for temperature reading.

ASSESSMENT OF TEMPERATURE BY TOUCH​

  • Abdominal temperature assessed by touching with back of hands provides a hint of core body temperature and touching palms and soles of baby gives a hint of peripheral body temperature.
  • Always assess both abdominal as well as peripheral temperature when assessing by touch.
  • Assessment by touch can only provide additional information about baby’s condition, and is not an alternative to axillary monitoring with thermometer.

BABIES HAVING ADDED RISK OF HYPOTHERMIA​

  • Preterm / Low birth weight baby or hospitalized baby
  • Exposure to cold air due to inadequate clothing or in winter months.
warning

Rectal temperature measurement is not recommended in routine because of risk of tissue damage.

References​

  • Merenstein & Gardner 2011, Neonatal Intensive Care.
  • Tandberg & Steinnes, Newborn Nursing care 1, 2009
  • www.newbornwhocc.org

Document Information​

Current Version

Version: 2.0
Published: August 20, 2015
Revised by: Dr Chetan Meena, Johanne M. E. Huurnink
Contributors: Teaching Nurses from Norway and FBNCU Nursing Staff, JK Lone Hospital, SMS Medical College, Jaipur
Previous Versions: v1.0