Many mothers are familiar with such a situation when a child's body temperature changes during the day. Jumps can be within one or two, or even three degrees. It is very easy to notice changes in the child’s body. In the morning, the baby is active and cheerful, and after only a few hours it becomes lethargic and lethargic. Why does the temperature jump in a child?
general information
Temperature is a kind of indicator of the body. Normally, its indicators should not exceed the mark of 37 degrees. Throughout the day, they can deviate up or down. Minimum values usually occur in the early morning, and they reach their peak at about 17 hours.
Changes in temperature indicators can be a consequence of both physiological processes in the body of the child, and pathological. It is these two criteria that determine the causes of sharp jumps. We consider each of the cases in more detail.
Physiological conditions
A change in body temperature during the day is most often associated with the physiological state of organs. Activation of their work causes an increase in indicators. During sleep, when the body is at rest, a decrease in temperature values is observed. Therefore, jumps from 36 to 37 degrees during the day should be regarded as a variant of the norm.
In addition to sleep and the wakeful period, temperature fluctuations can be caused by other processes. Among them, experts include:
- active physical activity;
- overheat;
- active digestion;
- psycho-emotional overexcitation.
In all these cases, the child has a rise in temperature to subfebrile marks. Specific treatment or lifestyle changes are not required, since the increase is associated with the physiological state of the body.
Thermoneurosis
One of the most common disorders in preschool children is thermoneurosis. In this condition, the child develops a fever, but the temperature does not exceed the mark of 37.5 degrees. The results of blood and urine tests do not show serious deviations in the body.
Among the main causes of thermoneurosis, doctors call the moral experiences of the child. They can be associated with relocation, poor relationships with children and carers in the kindergarten. Negative emotions through the autonomic system provoke a malfunction in the thermoregulation of the body. As a result of narrowing and a sharp expansion of blood vessels, a fever appears. If the temperature jumps in the child, and the doctor confirms the diagnosis of "thermoneurosis", drug treatment is not required. Until the parents identify the true cause of the disorder and eliminate it, the listed symptoms will accompany the baby. In such a situation, it is enough to provide the child with a comfortable environment in the garden and at home.
Adolescents also have to deal with the phenomenon of thermoneurosis. This pathology can be confirmed only by eliminating more serious reasons for temperature jumps. In doubtful cases, adolescent children are shown an aspirin test. It means taking antipyretics, followed by monitoring the patient's condition. With stable performance after about 40 minutes, we can talk about the presence of thermoneurosis. Treatment in this case includes the use of sedatives, the appointment of general strengthening procedures.
Individual characteristics of the body
Each child can have an “individual” temperature at which he is comfortable. It is easy to determine by measuring over several days in various conditions (before, during sleep, and after waking up). You can even make a graph of the temperature at which all changes will be visible. It is worth noting that the indicators sometimes vary depending on external factors: the baby is wrapped in a blanket, is in an excited state or has recently eaten. For example, in newborns, 37 or even 38 degrees is considered the norm. If the rest of the baby does not bother, there is no need to panic.
Pathological causes of jumping temperature
If the child’s temperature jumps during the day, while the maximum mark is 37.5 degrees or more, you should be wary. The causes of this disorder may be:
- Inflammatory processes in the body.
- Viral infections. These include bacterial infections, tonsillitis, SARS, etc.
- Diseases of the immune system, as well as violations in the digestive tract.
- Relapses of chronic ailments.
Viral infections are characterized by a specific clinical picture. Therefore, it is very difficult not to notice them. Usually, a child has a fever and a runny nose, and in rare cases, stool may be disturbed. If SARS and angina are quickly treated, then other pathologies from the list above require more serious therapy. In any case, the child should be shown to the pediatrician. After a full examination of a small patient, the doctor will be able to choose the most effective treatment.
Why does baby temperature jump?
About six months after the baby is born, his baby teeth begin to cut. This natural process is usually accompanied by a number of symptoms, including temperature spikes. In some children, it can reach a mark of 38.5 degrees, which affects the general well-being and mood. At the time of teething, the gums become inflamed, as a result, the temperature rises.
What should parents do? Pediatricians do not recommend knocking down the temperature until it reaches critical levels (more than 38 degrees). To combat the inflammatory reaction, gums can be lubricated with special soothing and cooling ointments. Doctors also advise more often to apply crumbs to the chest.
Low temperature in a child up to a year is normal if its indicators vary within 1-1.5 degrees. The body of a newborn is just beginning to adapt to environmental conditions, and the mechanisms of thermoregulation have not yet managed to finally gain a foothold. Therefore, they risk getting hypothermia at low outdoor temperatures, which are not significant for adults.
Other causes of asymptomatic temperature spikes
Colds, chickenpox, flu, pneumonia - all these diseases are characterized by fever. Also, their appearance does not pass without violation of the stool, rash, nausea and vomiting.
If the child's temperature jumps without symptoms, it is quite difficult to determine the cause of the fluctuations. In this case, the help of a qualified specialist is indispensable. Consider the most common cases.
- The presence of a foreign body in the body. Most often, his role is played by an ordinary splinter. The sooner the parents eliminate the problem, the faster the malaise will go away.
- Low temperature in a child often indicates vitamin deficiency.
- Allergy. Many are accustomed to the fact that the peculiar reaction of the body to a particular product manifests itself in the form of a rash or sneezing. However, this does not always happen. Often with allergies, an increase in temperature is observed. Basically, a similar reaction manifests itself in medicines. Therefore, before starting their use, you should read the instructions.
- Routine vaccinations. In some children, adaptation to injections goes unnoticed, in others, the temperature jumps. In this case, the child should not have other symptoms of malaise. This example once again proves that absolutely identical to each other organisms do not exist.
The listed causes of sudden temperature jumps in children are the most common, but not the only ones. Only the doctor can accurately determine the etiology of the disorder.
How to help the baby?
First of all, parents should try to understand why the temperature jumps in the child. 3 years old or 13 years old - there is practically no difference. If the causes are physiological in nature, there is no need to deal with them. In rare cases, it is necessary to adjust the child's lifestyle, change the situation or his environment. If temperature jumps are caused by allergies, it is necessary to exclude the provoking factor.
If you suspect the pathological nature of the disorder, qualified assistance is required. In this case, parents should immediately call a medical team. The doctor arrived at the house, what's next?
The basic principles of treatment
To reduce fever, children are usually given Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. Breasts who do not yet know how to eat on their own are given an injection with an antipyretic. It is worth noting that it is impossible to self-medicate under any circumstances. Many drugs prescribed for adults are strictly prohibited for children. These include drugs with metamizole sodium, as well as Aspirin and Analgin.
After this, the child is usually hospitalized or prescribed at the local pediatrician. To find out the reason for the sharp jumps in temperature, a complete examination will be required. Usually it includes blood and urine tests, ECG, ultrasound of organs. After receiving a complete clinical picture of the condition of a small patient, the pediatrician prescribes therapy and gives recommendations for care. Depending on the situation, the specialist prescribes antibiotics, hormonal drugs, antihistamines or anti-inflammatory drugs.
Tips by Dr. Komarovsky
The famous pediatrician Komarovsky, whose advice many parents listen to, does not recommend prematurely lowering the temperature in children. In his opinion, the condition of a small patient should be guided in this matter. A normal reaction to temperature jumps indicates that the crumb body produces immunity. Thus, he tries to fight viruses. With the appearance of seizures and other symptoms, indicating a pathological course of the process, it is urgent to begin to fight the problem.
How to bring down the temperature? First of all, it is necessary to lower the heat production in the child's body. It is forbidden to give the child hot food and tea. Any fluid that enters the body must be warm or slightly chilled. If the baby is showing unprecedented activity, it is important to try to calm him down. By his actions, he only exacerbates the condition.
It is also necessary to increase heat transfer. To do this, the child's room must be periodically ventilated. If he has a strong fever, you must remove all excess clothing. When a child is struggling with chills, you can wrap him and give fruit drink. Warm or cool, plentiful drinking is the best way to keep the temperature down.
Conclusion
Temperature jumps in childhood can be due to physiological and pathological reasons. Only the doctor can determine the etiology of the violation based on the results of the tests. Physiological causes usually do not require specific treatment, which cannot be said about pathological ones. In any case, if you feel unwell, you should consult with a children's doctor. Today, the “doctor at home” service is available in all medical institutions, including free ones.