Thermoregulation of Sick and Low Birth Weight Neonates

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Over the past 15 years, the population of sick neonates has evolved, with average birthweights dropping to as low as 450g and gestational ages reaching 21-22 weeks. These infants have unique needs that require more complex healthcare, necessitating a shift from previous recommendations based on more mature neonates. This foreword outlines the rationale behind developing new guidelines, focusing on the monitoring and investigation of a baby's thermal condition. Body temperature measurement is crucial for assessing a newborn's thermal state. There is a general consensus that infant body temperature is measured either intermittently with a liquid expansion thermometer or continuously via rectal or axillary sensors. However, rectal temperature may not accurately reflect core temperature, with potential differences of up to 2°C. Such discrepancies can lead to misjudgments in patient assessment; for instance, cold lower limbs can cause venous blood returning from the legs to cool, resulting in a rectal temperature that is significantly lower than core temperature. Research has also indicated that rectal temperature readings can vary based on the depth of sensor insertion.