is temp of 38.4C (101.2F) dangerous for a 9 week old baby???

[thebluefoxategreensocks]

Been holding wee Clement (9 weeks old today) all evening (breastfeeding him while sitting here) as he's had a temp of 101.2F (38.4C) - it was a lower grade temp earlier in the day but has gotten this high since about 7:30pm (now nearly 11pm). No idea what's wrong with him - but he's otherwise OK - fairly happy still, though a bit more sleepy than usual - and having lots of drinks from mummy. Bit worried at a temp that high for a 9 week old baby - but not sure what one can do really, apart from phoning NHS24. Have given him Calpol about 2 hours ago, but not bringing the temp down. :S

Does anyone know if that is a temp that is dangerous (I should be worried about) or just make sure he stays happy/cool as possible, and lots of liquid??

I have no idea what could be causing his temp, but you must be worried

In your situation, I would call my out-of-hrs GP service for advice

If you call your regular GP there should be a number listed to contact out-of-hrs

HTH

I think, without meaning to alarm you, that your baby needs checking over at the hospital as soon as you can. It is not normal for a baby this young to have a fever like this as they are protected by their mothers antibodies. I have seen this before in an 8 week old and I really do strongly advise you to take your little one to A&E and get him checked over by a paediatrician. It really is not normal. I would go now if I were you, Saturday night or not. Please get him seen tonight, don't leave this.

I would go too. babies below 3 months with a temp usually seen in hospital by paediatrics (whatever stupid nhs direct say - just take to hosp. it will prob be nothing but needs checking out)

please update us on this thread

I really do hope your little one's OK. Please keep me posted.

rachel i agree with the others please go to A&E and have your LO checked.

calpol usually works ok but if its not bringing the temperature down you need to do this for own peace of mind.

hope all ok

it would be faster to go through NHS 24 actually and they'll be able to get an appt made at nearest out of hours. esp as it's a saturday night and A&E will be chocca bloc with drunkards.

they would take a high temp in a very young baby seriously and the service is usually pretty quiet at this time. (i work there)

No it wouldn't. It would be quicker to go to A&E. They need to do some blood tests and stuff, they can't do these at the out of hours.

OK this is Rachel's hubby - she has rung NHS 24 and they are supposed to be getting an advisor to ring her back. Not sure where A & E is, thought it was here in town but the local cottage hospital says that is an "out of hours" and there's no doctor there right now. Could be A & E is only in nearby small city, where rock festival has swelled population, or maybe in another town in other direction.

and how is Clement at the moment?

where are you?

took socks off and temp gone down slightly (100.2 - even lower on the arm Rachel was using before); NHS not rung back in at least half an hour

thanks for asking - Clement asleep right now

Peter (hubby)

north of Inverness

how long to get to inverness?

you've definately done the right thing to get in touch with out of hours service and if you don't hear back soon you could call back. it's reassuring though that the temp is coming down.

is clement rousable?

have to go to bed but if any doubt take to a+e esp in 9 week old
am a doc (GP) and if i saw youwould refer you there if under 3months and temp.

good luck

Outing self as doctor here, whos done lots of A&E - please, if you are worried get him seen tonight.

I would hope OOH will contact you back soon, if they dont, take him in to A&E. Even if the place is choccablock with drunks, a young baby with a temp will be prioritised

how is he? and have they contacted you back?

Temp seems to have gone down even further now that he's sleeping peacefully (and no socks!) now 99.7F (37.6C). My husband has just phoned NHS back and seeing as temp is going down, they've agreed that it seems OK to just go to bed. Yes, Clement is rousable and has been awake a fair bit the past 1-2 hours, so I think he's ready to sleep for a bit now.

So goodnight & thanks for all the kind replies. x

agree with pingviner

hopefully rachel and hubby will take everyone's concerns into consideration and get him re-assessed if his temp goes back up.

if you're worried at all, don't hesitate ok?

let us know how he is tomorrow.

How is he today?

also checking to see how wee clement is...?

How is he? I'd still take him to the hospital to be honest. I trained as a paeds nurse a few years ago for a while and have seen a hgh temp in a tiny baby before so I really do know it needs checking by a paediatrician. I hope he's OK.

Hows the baby - hope you got through the night ok, or did you need to get him seen?

hope clement is ok today, please let us know?

wish i knew he was ok.

i am surprised nhs 24 didn't get him assessed but hopefully alls well.