Fever in the baby

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What is fever

Babies and toddlers are more likely to have a fever than adults. It is a protective reaction of the body with which it tries to fight pathogens. They can no longer reproduce as well at higher temperatures.

In healthy children, the body temperature is between 36.5 and 37.5 degrees Celsius (° C). If the values ​​climb to 37.6 to 38.5 ° C, the child has an increased temperature. Doctors speak of fever in babies above 38.5 ° C. A high fever is when the baby is over 39 ° C. Temperatures of over 41.5 degrees are life-threatening because the body's own proteins are destroyed.

An indication of a fever is when the baby's face is red and hot. Some babies become sleepy from a fever, others whine and / or do not like to eat or drink.

How do you measure a fever?

The body temperature can be measured most precisely at the anus (i.e. in the buttocks). The measurement in the mouth also provides exact results, but should only be carried out on children aged five and over. Because in order to reliably determine the temperature in the mouth, the little patient must reliably close his mouth and breathe through his nose and must not bite the tip of the thermometer.

Measurements in the armpit or in the ear are possible, but much less accurate. They are around 0.5 degrees lower than the actual core body temperature, as the skin's natural thermal insulation prevents accurate measurements.

When and why should the fever be treated?

Babies who have a high fever are usually tired, exhausted and generally appear sickly. After taking fever-lowering measures, however, they usually feel much better. Very young children are also prone to febrile seizures. This is another reason why the fever should be lowered early. See a doctor with a febrile baby or toddler if they are prone to febrile seizures. In addition, a visit to a doctor is strongly recommended if:

• the baby is less than three months old and has a temperature of 38 ° C or more (in older children: over 39 ° C)
• the baby is more than three months old or the toddler is two years or younger and the fever lasts for more than a day
• the fever does not go down in spite of fever-lowering measures (such as calf wraps)
• Other symptoms occur such as indifference, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting or rashes
• Despite the decrease in temperature due to fever-lowering measures, the child is listless and does not react as usual
• the baby is still significantly impaired despite the decrease in fever
• the feverish baby doesn't want to drink
• a febrile seizure occurs
• You are just worried and worried

If your baby has a fever, he or she needs a lot of fluids. Therefore, make sure that your baby drinks enough. If he refuses to drink, your pediatrician will arrange infusion therapy in certain cases. Babies with a fever can become dehydrated easily because they lose a lot of fluid through sweating because of their relatively large body surface area compared to their body weight.

How can you lower the fever?

There are two ways to lower a fever: non-drug measures and anti-fever medication.

Non-drug measures

Babies with a fever should not be dressed (too) warmly or covered. Clothes that are too warm do not let the heat escape. Thin clothing (such as a light romper) and a sheet to cover are usually sufficient.

If the feverish child has warm legs, you can put on leg wraps. To do this, dip cotton towels in lukewarm water (around 20 degrees, a few degrees cooler than the baby's body temperature), wring them out gently and then wrap them around the baby's calves. Then place a dry cloth around each calf plus a woolen cloth over it. The evaporation of water provides cooling and increased heat dissipation. Leave the calf wraps on until they feel warm to the body. This takes about 15 to 20 minutes. As soon as the calves are warm again after removing the compress, you can put them on your baby again.

Antipyretic drugs

If the baby has a high fever, it can be reduced with antipyretic drugs such as paracetamol. In addition to reducing fever, most anti-fever drugs also have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. For example, they can be given as a juice or suppository. Pay particular attention to the correct dosage for babies. Only infant suppositories should be used for babies - and only in the number permitted by the doctor.

Caution: Never give babies and young children acetylsalicylic acid (ASA): This pain reliever and fever medication can cause a rare liver-brain disease (Reye's syndrome) that can be fatal.

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