Toddler and very low temperature

[Doctorwhowho]

For the past 2/3 nights I’ve noticed my childs temperature is between 35.3-36, she is 3

According to NHS website this is very low and other websites say it’s perfectly fine

She’s not poorly otherwise and her temperature seems normal through the day it’s only at night she cools down

Is this something she should get checked out or leave it as she’s otherwise well? Has anyone else’s child had this also?

What's caused you to check it? What are you checking it with and how old is the tympanic? And how cheep or expensive and brand?

Does she have any signs of an infection?

I kissed her head when I put her to sleep a couple nights ago and noticed it cold and checked every night since.. I’m checking it with a non contact thermometer that is 2-3cm away from her forehead, I got it from boots for £50 so it should be decent enough

No signs at all, well in herself just very cold

NHS says anything under 35 is classed as hypothermia and shes 35.3 so I really don’t know what to do. Chances of getting through to 111 are slim I’d imagine

Then on contact one is okay but her core temperature is likely to be much much different! To really know what her temp is the most accurate ways and non invasive is the in ear one

Also feel her chest and back and do her temp on their again not overall accurate or behind the ear they should give better readings. Personally I think it's a device issue more than your daughters temp you'd know about it if her core body temp was 35.3!

I really don’t know what to do

Stop taking her temperature. She's perfectly well, you have a dodgy thermometer or you are using it wrong.

Buy a new basic thermometer to stick under her tongue when she's actually ill.

Can't imagine it's a problem if she's otherwise fine. Give her some hot milk or other warm drink tomorrow evening if you're worried.

Check the margin of error of your thermometer. Mine says 1 degree.

It is working correctly and I know how to use it, my temperature and my other childs temperature is perfect, my 3 year olds is not

Il give her a few more nights and if it continues il maybe call the doctor just to be on the safe side

Non contact thermometers are notoriously rubbish.

The cheaper ones anyway... My dad is a GP and hates them.

Does she kick her blankets off during the night? Could she just be getting a bit cold as a result? I found that with my 3yr old. But he runs cooler than his brother anyway.

Paeds nurses refer to the non contact thermometers as a random number generator. Get a decent tympanic (ear) one, but I wouldn’t bother checking her temp if she’s well.

Take your temperature OP and see what it comes in at, the thermometer could be on the fritz.

You'd know if she was hypothermic. If there's no other signs (blue lips, pale & clammy skin, dry mouth/dehydration, rashes..) and she's easily rousable (no need to wake her, just tickle her feet and check that she responds) I'd say there's nothing to worry about.

I believe the infrared thermometers are known to underestimate lower temperatures.

Those thermometers are crap op.

The margin of error means that it can give a reading out by x degrees and still be considered to be working perfectly. The manual of your thermometer will tell you the value of x.

Ok thanks everyone, il maybe invest in an ear one instead, abit miffed cause it cost me £50! She was cold again last night but fine this morning but I will keep an eye on her

Thanks again x

I’ve got 3 expensive thermometers, a non contact one that I agree just generates random numbers & 2 in ear ones, maybe I’m just rubbish at using them but I’ve given up on them too. I bought a normal one and use it under their arms, it seems to be the most accurate. The GP’s make it look so easy, they never pull the ear back, they just stick it in and it works!

You have to push the in ear ones in pretty firmly and follow the direction of the ear canal. They work really well once you get the knack!

I might persevere with my eldest then. It’s hard when the little one isn’t wanting to co operate!

Hi, I know it’s an old one, but what was it at the end? We have been experiencing the same for the last few nights and I’m worried x