What is fever?
Babies and young children get fever more often than adults. It is a protective reaction of the body, with which it tries to fight pathogens. They can no longer multiply as well at a higher temperature.
In healthy children, the body temperature is between 36.5 and 37.5 degrees Celsius (°C). If the values climb to 37.6 to 38.5°C, the child has an elevated temperature. Doctors speak of a fever in babies from 38.5°C. High fever is when the baby has a temperature above 39°C. Temperatures above 41.5°C are life-threatening because they destroy the body’s own proteins.
An indication of fever is when the baby’s face is red and hot. Some babies become sleepy due to fever, others whine and/or do not like to eat or drink.
How to measure fever?
The most accurate way to measure body temperature is at the anus (the bottom). Measuring the temperature in the mouth also provides accurate results, but should only be carried out on children over the age of five. This is because in order to reliably determine the temperature in the mouth, the young patient must reliably close the mouth and breathe through the nose, and must also not bite the tip of the thermometer.
Measurements in the armpit or ear are possible, but significantly less accurate. They turn out to be about 0.5 degrees lower than the actual core body temperature, as the natural thermal protection of the skin prevents accurate measurement.
When and why should the fever be treated?
Babies with high fevers are usually tired, listless and generally appear sickly. After fever-reducing measures, however, they usually feel much better. Very young children are also susceptible to febrile convulsions. This is another reason why fever should be lowered early. Take a feverish baby or toddler to the doctor if he or she is prone to febrile convulsions. In addition, a visit to the doctor is strongly recommended if:
- the baby is younger than three months and has a temperature of 38°C or more (for older children: above 39°C)
- the baby is older than three months or the toddler is two years or younger, and the fever lasts for more than one day
- the fever does not decrease despite fever-reducing measures (such as calf compresses)
- other symptoms occur, such as listlessness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, or skin rashes
- despite a drop in temperature due to fever-reducing measures, the child is apathetic and does not react as usual
- the baby is still significantly impaired despite a decrease in fever
- the feverish baby does not want to drink
- a febrile convulsion occurs
- you are simply worried and concerned
Your baby has a particularly high fluid requirement during fever. Therefore, make sure that your baby drinks enough. If he or she refuses to drink, your pediatrician will in certain cases arrange for infusion therapy. Feverish babies can easily become dehydrated because they lose a lot of fluid through sweating due to their relatively large body surface compared to their body weight.
How to reduce the fever?
There are two ways to reduce fever: by non-drug means and by fever-reducing drugs.
Non-medicinal measures
Feverish babies should not be dressed (too) warmly or covered. Clothing that is too warm does not allow the heat to escape. Thin clothing (such as a light romper suit) and a sheet for covering are usually sufficient.
If the feverish child has warm legs, you can make calf wraps. To do this, dip cotton cloths in lukewarm water (about 20 degrees, a few degrees cooler than the baby’s body temperature), wring them out gently, and then wrap them around the baby’s calves. Then place a dry cloth around each calf, plus a wool cloth over each. The evaporation of water will provide cooling and increased heat release. Leave the calf wraps on until they feel warm to the body. This will take about 15 to 20 minutes. Once the calves are warm again after removing the wraps, you can put them on your baby again.
Antipyretic drugs
If necessary, high fever in the baby can be reduced with fever-reducing medications (antipyretics) such as paracetamol. In addition to their fever-reducing effect, most antipyretics also have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. They can be administered as a juice or suppository, for example. Pay particular attention to the correct dosage for babies. Only infant suppositories should be used for babies – and these only in the number allowed by the doctor.
Caution: Never give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to babies and young children: This pain reliever and antipyretic can possibly cause a rare liver-brain disorder (Reye’s syndrome) that can be fatal.
