Newborn temp 37.7 - what would you do?

[AOMum14]

Hello,

I am not seeking reassurence or medical advice as we are currently at A&E and being seen by the correct people and likely being sent home soon. I just wanted to get a census of what others would have done in the same position.

Last night, I was worried that baby, who is 2 weeks old, was cold in her night attire, so took her temprature. I don't take her temprature often but today it was reading 37.8 - high rather than low! We use the disposable underarm strips, the same ones they use for babies at our local hospital. We took the temp multiple times and it was reading between 37.5 and 37.8. Other than the temprature, baby was not acting any differently than usual. We may have been taking them too close together on reflection.

During this time, we took her sleeping bag off (one tog) and just had her in the vest. The room was 21.9 - but this is what I usually dress her in at night and is our usual room temprature. I called the maternity triage line to get some advice and they said A&E. So here we are.

But out of interest, would you guys have been worried? Our midwives say that they would take baby to A&E for 37.6 and over but I only know this because I asked. But they make it clear that they are only really worried about a temp of 38 or over.

What would other parents have done in same position? I don't want to become paranoid about temprature and end up coming to A&E needlessly.

How old is she? If she’s of an age to have had her first jabs I’d have given calpol

2 weeks old!

When you remove the bedding/clothing you need to give time for the temp to come down, I wouldn’t have gone to A&E for 37.5 and 37.8, I’d have monitored it and seen what it was like at 8am for a possible GP appointment.
But you did what you were told to do, so don’t worry about it.
Perhaps you need to take baby’s temp when she’s well to see what’s normal for her.

At 2 weeks old, I would have gone. Yes, it's not over 38 and yes, the room is warm so maybe that explains it - but babies that young don't show signs of infection in the same way as older babies and kids. I'd rather be safe and waste an evening in A&E (and you're usually prioritised when they're that small) than take the risk personally, but I am quite risk averse generally

If I'd been advised to go by healthcare professionals, as you were, I'd go.

In your position, I would have done the same as you - sought advice, and gone to A&E if they told me to. No one minds if you are in A&E with a newborn! They deteriorate so fast when ill.

My two week old had a temp of 37.8 to 38 when I took it. 111 said to go to A&E. By the time I got there, it was 39 and he was in hospital for 5 days. I was told they always take high temp really really seriously for this age, so it's good you did too.

At 2 weeks old I wouldn’t have hung about. 111 and then whatever they said immediately. 2 weeks is really tiny, I think you did exactly the right thing.

We had this when our youngest was about the same age. She felt hot to touch and her temp was just under 38, I took it again soon after and it was less but then went up again. We did go to A&E and they just observed for a while, there was nothing wrong. Still don't know what it was.

I'd just have watched for a bit, monitored temperature, and considered whether baby was wrapped a bit warmly. You were right to get and follow advice since you weren't sure though.

37.8? I would observe wet nappies, eating, awakeness and the temperature.
I would go down to 20C in room and not too much clothes on.
Call GP if you are worried or baby gets worse.

Pretty much this, especially for a 2 week old.

I think I'd have likely called 111 to be honest who probably would tell you to go. With a newborn you don't want to take any risks, things can change quickly, if it continued to rise she'd have been in the right place.

With my ds he started getting a fever at 3 days old, I took him to the doctors and he had a staph infection spreading round his cord area and needed antibiotics and we ended up in hospital.

With my dd when she was months old she spiked a fever so called 111 who said to take her to a and e, we got her dressed and she went in to a complex febrile convulsions and ended up phoning 999. Paramedics had to give her 4x the normal amount of meds for her weight to get her out it and we were then transported by ambulance to a and e and in a few days.

So I'd always be cautious, medical staff have always said to me they'd rather see a potentially ill baby and find out they are okay than not see one and don't feel it's wasting their time.

I would get an ear thermometer firstly. And I would have just kept an eye on her. A high 37c temperature can very easily just be environmental (22c seems quite warm for a room temp). As long as all was otherwise fine, I’d monitor, offer a feed and test again in a few hours.

You did the right thing, sought advice and followed it. A baby under 12 weeks has very poor thermoregulation and fevers can be dangerous. Its uncommon for very young babies to have a fever and when they do it can be a sign of a very serious infection. It seemed to be heading for 38 so definitely good to get medical review. At only 2 weeks old your baby would deteriorate very fast if unwell so I would absolutely want them checked over. Hope LO is OK!

You definitely did the right thing, a newborn with a temperature is an emergency because they have no immune system. Especially at 2 weeks old , could be anything. Hope your baby is ok.
I think people are missing the point this baby is a newborn and not an older baby that has been exposed to stuff /had vaccines /built up some immunity. You can never be too cautious with tiny ones,

100% wouldn't done the same. 2 weeks old? Not even a question. Just not worth it

Argh stupid spell checker. WOULD'VE**

I'd have taken a later of clothing off and retakn the temp in half an hour or an hour. It does take a while to come down.

I'd probably have tried to cool the room down as well - from memory 21.9 degrees is a bit warmer than the recommendation for young babies?

I'd have called 111 if still worried and probably expected them to say a&e as 2 weeks is very little.

I read ‘temp of 37.8’ and roll my eyes
I read ‘2 weeks old’ and I’m already packing a bag and getting into the car.

It’s Just not worth the risk when they’re that tiny is it? All the advice RE temps I find it more geared towards older and more robust babies. Under 12 weeks I say any doubt check them out!

Thank you everyone! It's made me feel like I made the correct decision.

I suffer from OCD and health anxiety and so often I wonder if my reactions are a result of logical thinking (I.e would most parents react the same) or is it me being over cautious. My health anxiety affects me but I don't want it to affect my children.

I'm a bit worried about it still in that I have a laid back, isn't often awake baby. But that's her usual. And also the measured temprature didn't match what I felt. I didn't touch her and think she was hot but I know how we measured her was accurate - literally use what baby doctors use. I don't want to get into a position where I am so worried, I am taking her temprature, because I doubt what I feel.

I am soaking in these newborn moments but I'm looking forward to this immune system getting better!