Help. Been A&E 3x this week, keep getting told everything is fine

[Silversal]

Pls help!! DD had a viral infection and middle ear infection was on antibiotics, finished 2 days ago. Now DD has had low temps of 34.1 at night since Thursday but not during the day. I've taken her A&E 3x since then and they think it's odd but just said it's part of the viral infection. DD is easy to wake, taking a bottle, only had diarrhoea today but I started her on probiotics to counter the antibiotic gut flora stripping. She is wearing a 3.5tog and pj's under and the room is 24c so it is baffling me. I've tried different thermometers and also tested on myself as Dr in A&E questioned my thermometer accuracy. She eventually warms up after a bottle, me putting a coat on her and a duvet when she starts sweating and then cools again. This is only happening at night. Before bed and during the day she is 36.3/4. Only other symptoms currently is a small cough, diarrhoea today and a slightly lower appetite (eating meals not snacks) I'm up all night with her checking her temp.

Am I reading it right that her bedroom is 28 degrees at night?

That’s far too hot and won’t be helping her to regulate her temperature properly.

Hopefully the blood tests will either give you some answers or reassure you that all is well.

In the meantime I hope you can both catch up on some sleep.

I didn’t use thermometers either. It sounds like the medics aren’t concerned. I’d try to keep the temperature in her room consistent and just put an extra blanket on if she’s cold in the night. I wouldn’t faff with hats and things.

You are doing right to trust your gut OP. When a child is this little it is so important to advocate for them. You are not wasting anyone’s time and contrary to a few replies, I don’t believe you are being overly anxious. Yes perhaps in an older child/teenager/adult the “wait and see” method would apply. But not in a little one. As much as I respect the NHS, if you have the funds, I would take her someone private for a full second opinion. Sending lots of love xx

Three a&e attendances for something that is neither an accident nor an emergency is very over the top

24-28 degrees in her bedroom seems very warm to me. That plus a hat and warm milk. I’d be worried that she can’t regulate her temperature in her own.

You’re absolutely entitled to your opinion, and may well make different choices, but the OP is not saving the NHS by holding back on seeking medical care for her DD.

My son’s temperate has always been that low at night, literally always. He was in hospital once for something unrelated and during obs in the night nobody battered an eyelid at it. He’s now 6, still happens.

Actually parents can be overly anxious.

You need to look at the child, not just the number. The number is low and as others have said on this thread, including myself, it’s not unusual for that happen when children have been unwell. OP’s child is perfectly well based on her own description save for the drop in temperature overnight.

A drop can be a red flag, hence why it’s raised as an emergency with 111/999 but after assessment 3 times, it’s clear her child is well save for this drop overnight. It’s very possible that parents get it wrong and let anxiety take over.

No wonder her temperature is low, you are heating her up too much. The body tries to self regulate so the more you turn up the heating and throw on covers the more the body’s temperature will have to drop. You don’t need the heating on at night. And you don’t need to keep taking her temperature every 5 minutes. If she feels warm then yes get the thermometer out.

Its really no surprise that the NHS is overworked when people are going 3 times in one week for literally something that could have been resolved on Mumsnet or at the worst 111. People need this service, so you really must try to use only in an actual emergency. I hope your child recovers soon but it sounds like you have nothing to worry about.

Op with all respect you shouldn't get healthcare advice from here. If you are concerned get back to the doctors.

I'm a bit confused that you have your heating set so high! That's really warm especially at night, I doubt that will be helpful to anyone. Bedrooms should be about 18-20 at night.

I've had my daughter seen for low temperature before associated with ongoing ear conditions. As she was alert and well I was told to monitor.

She does not need a,hat on at night. She needs cooler room.please tell the next doctor about the room temp and hat wearing and seek advice on that .
Perhaps if they have space on ward they could monitor her overnight for one night and feedback to you.

something that could have been resolved on Mumsnet or at the worst 111.

Are you seriously suggesting that MN is better than 111 for health advice? Astonishing!

@Silversal You've done the right thing getting it checked, I agree with the PP that you’re advocating for your little one - ignore the posters saying there’s no need, I think you’re right to be vigilant with something like this.

My DC had something similar a few months ago - very low temp overnight after an infection that had caused a persistent fever and antibiotics - it was very worrying and I contacted the ward she’d been on (she had been admitted briefly) and also ran it by our GP - both said it can happen after an illness when their body is trying to reset its thermostat, basically. Good to get it looked at but in our experience it stabilised and my DC was absolutely fine - no ill effects from it. Hope you get some reassurance today and that your little one is on the mend soon.

Seems to be why the OP is here. Doctors and A&E aren't telling her what she wants to hear so she is on here.

Try a few nights without monitoring her temperature. You’ll now if she is unwell by showing other signs.

I think everyone runs at slightly different temperatures. My eldest can easily spike over 40c with just a sniffle, whereas my youngest can be really unwell and his temp still shows 36/37. He’s also shown lower temperatures before when ill, I think that’s just the way he runs.

OP you will be skewing her temperature regulation by having such a warm room and inappropriate bed wear.

If her room is 24 degrees, she should be sleeping in just a nappy, vest and 1.0 tog or muslin bag. A 3.5 tog sleep bag is really only suitable for below 15 degrees. Have you mentioned what you are dressing her in to A&E? Advice usually is not to add or remove layers.

You warm the room to 28. With a 3.5 tog bag and pjs and you put a duvet on the top?
Is that right?
Because this is madness.
You will over heat her

I agree you have to get to the bottom of why her temperature is low and if there is a problem or if that is just her normal
You also say she doesnt even feel cold to the touch

I knew a child who's every day normal temperature was 38.2'
It was unusual but was just her

OP you’ve turned the bedroom into a furnace and put a hat on DD.
Return to normal temp and bed clothes and see what happens.
When ours were little we were told to treat a high temp with a cool bath, guess what it’s now bad advice as the child’s brain thinks oh no it’s cold I must heat up and their high temp gets worse.
You may well be doing the opposite by heating the environment so her body is thinking it’s hot in here ( I can’t take my clothes off I’m too young, perhaps why she’s thrashing about) so let’s cool down the body temp.
I get you are advocating for your DD and no criticism for that, ever.

How old is your child? Why don't you give her yoghurt with live bacteria instead of probiotics? I would have thought they were quite strong for a little one. I can't take them and I am an adult. They give me wind. Also, I would go back to your GP and have a proper discussion with them about what is going on or a nurse at the practice who deals with paediatrics.

the best advice I saw online from a childrens doctor was that the absolute key sign of concern in children and babies - is when they are 'unwell in themselves' - floppy/lethergic/ not playing/ sleeping most of the time.

My daughter developed pneumonia and sepsis and was barely awake for days - she was also rapid breathing - a sign of lung infection.

If you weren't taking your childs temperature - what would be the key signs they are unwell?

Does your child seem unusual in their behaviour/ wakefulness/ how they are ?

Isn't it likely that the restless sleep is more likely due to stomach pain from the prebiotic than the reduced temperature?

OP I mean this kindly but do you usually suffer with anxiety/health anxiety?

A 999 call and three A&E visits in a week seems excessive, as others have said it is very normal for temps to drop in the night especially after a virus. Did the doctor tell you that?

Her room is far too warm, 18-20 degrees max. 24-28 degrees with blankets and a hat can be dangerous and she is at risk of overheating.

Set the thermostat lower, stop the temp checking and try to relax. Your daughter will pick up many, many viral infections over the next few years - watch out for key signs like extreme lethargy, difficult to wake, not eating or drinking, lack of urination and any rashes. Obsessing over all of the other symptoms that come with an illness will drive you crazy.

OP 24-38 degrees is an insane temperature for the bedroom, especially if you are wrapping her up warm too.

Temp in the room should be 20-22 degrees. I agree with others that you should put the thermometer down. I would check on her by feeling her tummy/ chest / neck, and also make sure of all the usual (wet nappies, eating/ drinking, seems well in herself, etc etc). If everything else seems just fine I would try to stop worrying. As others said is normal for temps to drop at night, she's recovering from a virus which could be another factor and thermometers aren't always the most accurate anyway. As long as she seems well in herself that's the most important factor
xx