I know for sure that the high body temperature of a young child is a cause of concern for many parents. I am among them. Moms and dads begin to stuff their child with antipyretic drugs, syrups and pills, call a doctor and much more. However, the thermometer can show a completely different meaning. What to do if a child has a low temperature, not every parent knows. Should I call my pediatrician or is it best to do nothing? Let's see what low body temperature in children means.
In most cases, if the child has a low temperature, there is no need to talk about the presence of any infection in his body. However, you do not need to let it all drift. Of course, many babies have a low temperature is considered the norm or feature of their organisms. In other cases, this can lead to a serious illness that threatens the health of the child. That is why it is recommended, first of all, to determine the exact cause of the decrease in body temperature.
Weakening of the immune system, disruption of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands, some oncological diseases are far from all the reasons that a child has a low temperature. Parents should consider recently transferred colds. In addition to all of the above, it is often the reason that the child has a low temperature, can be a banal hypothermia. Apathy, bad mood, depression and other psychological changes are also often accompanied by a decrease in the baby's body temperature.
In order to know exactly what low temperature means in a particular case, you need to contact a specialist. The doctor will prescribe an examination. Based on the results, a verdict will be issued. If, for example, it’s all about weakened immunity, then it’s enough to start taking vitamins, change the child’s lifestyle and rebuild his diet. There are other situations when the baby has a low temperature. The reasons in this case are much more serious. Sometimes an additional examination of the entire body of a small patient is required. Parents should remember that you should not refuse the recommendations of a specialist. After all, it is a complete and detailed examination that can result in a disease that is rapidly progressing without the necessary and correct treatment.
The body temperature of the child is, first of all, an indicator of the state of his body. Even small changes in this parameter lead to malfunctions of all internal organs and systems. At a body temperature below thirty degrees a person in 90 percent of cases loses consciousness. As already mentioned, it is this indicator that indicates the presence or absence of problems in the body. In addition to all of the above, it is worth noting that low temperatures in babies and adults can be observed after surgery, if the body is depleted, there are not enough nutrients and vitamins. Intoxication, too low a level of hemoglobin in the blood, shock, AIDS, intoxication, brain diseases - all this can be accompanied by a decrease in body temperature.
The very first signs of a decrease in temperature in babies are considered irritability, drowsiness and weakness, some inhibition.
According to statistics, only two percent of children (including premature babies) have a low body temperature that is normal for their organisms. In all other cases, close attention must be paid to this aspect. Low temperature in a child in most situations is accompanied by headache, apathy, lethargy and poor mood. Do not rub the sick baby, wrap it. According to doctors, all such actions are more likely to cause harm.
Pediatricians from various countries recommend tempering babies from early childhood. Thanks to such procedures, the immune system quickly returns to normal and becomes much more resistant to viruses and infections. Daily wipes, dousing and sports are the main helpers in this matter. It is worth noting that the activity of your child will increase markedly if you engage with him. All these tips are suitable for healthy babies. Indeed, for each type of procedure there are contraindications.
Vitamins We must not forget that the child’s body constantly needs them, especially in the cold season. If you do not have the opportunity to regularly buy your baby fruits, seafood and the like, it is worth considering the acquisition of complex vitamins in the form of drugs. The pediatrician will help you choose the most suitable vitamin complex. Perhaps this will require some tests, because only in this way can you determine what exactly in your child’s body is not enough for normal growth and development.
As already mentioned, low temperatures can be caused by hypothermia. Avoiding such a situation is easy. Try to dress your child in the weather. No need to wrap a child or, conversely, to put on light clothing when it is cold outside.
In conclusion, I remind you once again that there are a huge number of causes of low temperature in children. If your baby has it often enough, be sure to show it to your doctor.