Normal range of rectal temperature in children

Humans are called homeotherms because their body temperature is constant. Body temperature, as a necessary condition for human metabolism and normal life activities, plays a very important role in human health. The baby's temperature needs to be measured right after birth, and the baby's health condition can be seen from a few minutes. Generally speaking, when taking a child's temperature, the rectal temperature is measured. What is the normal range of rectal temperature in children?

The normal body temperature at the anus is between 36.5℃ and 37.5℃. It is normal if the body temperature does not exceed 37.5 degrees. If it exceeds this, you have a fever.

There are three common places used to measure body temperature, namely the mouth, armpits and anus. The normal body temperature is between 36.5℃ and 37.5℃ at the anus; between 36.2℃ and 37.3℃ at the mouth; and between 35.9℃ and 37.2℃ at the armpit. After measurement, any temperature that exceeds the normal range by more than 0.5℃ is called fever. A temperature not exceeding 38°C is called low fever, and a temperature exceeding 39°C is called high fever.

Young children have a slightly higher body temperature than adults because their temperature regulation center is unstable and their metabolism is more active. The body temperature fluctuates during the day. It is lower when you are at rest and higher when you are active. The lowest temperature is between 2 and 6 in the morning and the highest is between 2 and 8 in the afternoon. The fluctuation range is about 0.6°C.

The method of measuring rectal temperature for infants is to let the child lie in a supine position, and insert the head of the rectal temperature meter into the child's anus after lubricating it with some oil preparations. Generally speaking, it can be read in about three minutes.

Babies often cry and don't like to be restrained, so it is difficult to measure their temperature under the armpit. After measuring the rectal temperature, if the child's temperature is found to exceed 37.7 degrees, the temperature is too high and the child needs to be treated to reduce the fever. The child's body temperature can be lowered through physical methods, such as cold compresses on the forehead, warm baths, etc. However, if the child's temperature continues to rise and reaches 38 degrees or above, the child needs to be treated with appropriate antipyretic drugs, and the child should be taken to a doctor in time to find out the specific cause of the fever.