Temperature 37.2 in a child of 2 years: causes
A healthy child is happy parents. Young moms and dads start to panic at the slightest deviations from the norm. Even the temperature of 37.2 in a child of 2 years is a cause for concern. In fact, it can be a variant of the norm. But you can not postpone your visit to a pediatrician.
What should be the temperature of the baby?
The body temperature of a healthy person is not constant. Indicators can vary depending on what room the child is in, how he is dressed. It is generally considered normal body temperature of 36.6 degrees. Minor deviations are allowed. Abnormal is the indicator below 35.5 degrees or above 37.0 degrees. Elevated body temperature may be subfebrile( up to 38.0 degrees) and febrile( above 38.0 degrees).Often, even the temperature of 37.5 in a child of 2 years is not considered pathological. This can be a norm option, if the baby does not bother, he does not act up and eats well.
It is important for parents to learn how to correctly measure body temperature in a child. Errors can lead to the fact that the thermometer will display indicators that do not correspond to reality. Particular attention should be given to the procedure for measuring temperature, if the child does not have concomitant symptoms of the disease( he does not cough or be naughty).
In no case can you start the procedure after crying or crying a child. Any physical activity can trigger an increase in performance. You can not take measurements after an active walk. Immediately after awakening, the baby will have, on the contrary, a decrease in body temperature. It is desirable to conduct measurements in a calm environment. The axillary cavity should be absolutely dry. Often the temperature of 37.2 in a child of 2 years is the result of exposure to moisture.
Many today use electronic thermometers. It is noticed that such devices do not always show the exact data. It is worth giving preference to proven mercury thermometers.
Oral measurements often produce increased body temperature. In addition, this technique can not be called hygienic.
When there is no cause for concern
In some cases, the temperature of 37.2 in a child of 2 years is absolutely normal. This is the body's reaction to certain manipulations. For example, subfebrile indicators can be observed in a baby after vaccination. It is not by chance that many pediatricians after the vaccination prescribe funds "Panadol" or "Nurofen".With the help of these drugs it is possible to normalize the condition of the crumbs, to remove the pain.
Quite normal is a slight increase in body temperature during the period of teething. At this time, the body spends a lot of energy, the immune system is running out. If your mother does everything right, after a few days the child's temperature will be normal, you will not have to face infections. But the neglect of the doctor's recommendations often leads to the fact that the weakened body of the kid is faced with various infections. In this case, the temperature is already increased to febrile indices.
Immature thermoregulation is another cause of fever in the baby. This state of treatment does not require and usually normalizes by 18 months. In rare cases, the body gets used to environmental conditions by 3 years. Therefore, if the child has a temperature of 37 years, it is not necessary to panic. This can be a variation of the norm. But on consultation to the doctor to address it is necessary.
If the baby has a fever to subfebrile indicators, while he behaves restlessly, it is worth finding out the reason.
Respiratory infections
Respiratory infections are the most common cause of fever in children. Initially, the disease can begin with an inflammation of the throat or runny nose. The rise in temperature is the indicator of the presence of infection in the body. If the child's well-being does not change critically, it is not worth lowering the indicators. Due to the increased temperature, bacteria and viruses are killed. It is believed that taking antipyretics is necessary when the indicators on the thermometer reach 38.5 degrees.
If there is a temperature of 37.2 in a child of 2 years, with a cough present, it is impossible to postpone the visit to the pediatrician. The baby can develop bronchitis, which requires appropriate treatment. The lack of therapy often leads to serious complications up to pneumonia and death. Suffice badly tolerates such diseases child 2 years. Temperature 37 and coughing is not an occasion to engage in self-medication.
Poorly enough babies are also suffering from influenza and other acute respiratory infections. Often the disease is accompanied by just the same increase in body temperature to subfebrile indicators. Rapid deterioration of the child's condition is a sign of a bacterial infection that requires the hospitalization of a small patient. The temperature of 37.7 in a 2-year-old child may indicate the onset of tonsillitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, measles, etc.
Intestinal infections
A sharp increase in body temperature in a child may indicate poisoning. In this case, often in the first hours after falling into the stomach of pathological microflora the child feels completely normal, and the thermometer's indicators will already show a deviation. Then the baby has accompanying symptoms - nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain. The temperature of 37.6 in a 2-year-old child is one of the symptoms of an organism's intoxication. Treatment should be started immediately. Otherwise, dehydration and the condition of the baby will worsen. A child should be given as much fluid as possible, as well as drugs that remove toxins from the body. It is better if a specialist appoints medicines.
In the case of the gastrointestinal tract, other reasons may also lead to a change in temperature. So the child's well-being can slightly worsen when infected with worms. The products of the vital activity of parasites lead to the violation of body fictions. The result is an increase in body temperature in the baby. In addition, the child will be bothered by lethargy, poor appetite, drowsiness.
Appendicitis is another common cause of changes in thermometer performance. With intestinal infection, the disease is not associated, but the symptoms are similar( pain in the lower abdomen, nausea, lack of appetite).The temperature of 37.8 in a child of 2 years on the background of pain in the lower abdomen is an occasion for immediate consultation with a surgeon. The earlier you remove the inflamed appendix, the more likely you will not face complications.
Brain diseases
Brain problems in children are not a common problem. However, statistics indicate that the number of sick children is increasing every year. The reason for this may be the ecological situation, mother's illnesses during pregnancy, disregard for the recommendations of a doctor, etc. One of the reasons for changing the temperature of the body in a baby can be a violation of cerebral circulation. At the same time, the following symptoms can be of concern to parents: headache, reduced concentration, developmental lag, loss of skills acquired earlier, etc.
Meningitis is a serious infectious disease. At an early stage of the disease, a temperature of 37.5 in a 2-year-old child will be observed. As the inflammation of the meninges develops, the child's condition will deteriorate. Body temperature can rise to febrile indices. If you do not provide assistance in a timely manner, a fatal outcome is possible. Often after suffering meningitis, children acquire disability.
Cardiovascular diseases
As in the case of cerebral diseases, cardiovascular diseases have increasingly begun to occur in young children. In most cases, these are congenital diseases that were provoked by abnormalities during pregnancy, some hereditary factors. Some acquired pathologies can also cause a malfunction in the cardiovascular system of the baby. Complications often occur against the background of influenza.
The problem is that in childhood, the symptoms of cardiac pathology can be completely absent or will be expressed minimally. The only indication is often changes in the thermometer. A temperature of 37.4 in a 2-year-old child may indicate a pathology of blood vessels and heart. Even if there are no symptoms, it is worthwhile to undergo a thorough diagnosis.
Vegeto-vascular dystonia is a condition with which in most cases children of school age face. But even in children, the disease can be diagnosed. A hereditary factor plays a large role.
Oncological diseases
Oncology is the sphere of medicine that nobody wants to face. Unfortunately, no one can call the exact reasons for the formation of cancer cells in the body today. Suffer and adults and children. Diseases of an oncological nature are cunning enough. At an early stage, when it is still possible to save a person's life, there are practically no symptoms. You can feel absolutely normal when the mechanism of the disease is already running.
The temperature of 37.1 in a 2-year-old child may indicate the development of a malignant neoplasm. The sooner parents turn to a consultation, the sooner the pathology will be diagnosed. There are chances to save a little person life. Benign neoplasms in the body can also cause a rise in body temperature. The tumor will develop, squeeze the neighboring organs. This will inevitably lead to an inflammatory process.
Allergy
An inadequate response to foods or substances from the environment is an allergy. In most cases, the disease is accompanied by the formation of rash, reddening of the skin, the appearance of itching. Less often, babies may have allergic conjunctivitis, rhinitis or laryngitis. Usually, body temperature values remain normal, but minor deviations are possible.
The problem is that during periods of worsening of allergies the immunity of the child is significantly reduced. The baby becomes vulnerable to various infections. The temperature of 37.3 in a child 2 years old on the background of an allergy is an occasion to call a doctor. It is possible that in addition to antihistamines, a specialist will prescribe antibiotics or antiviral drugs.
A common phenomenon is an increased body temperature with drug allergies. At the same time, the indicators on the thermometer can reach 38 degrees. In addition, the drug allergy is accompanied by swelling and redness of the skin. Symptoms develop dramatically and require immediate medical attention.
Overheating
Thermal shock is a phenomenon that can be observed after prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Children often suffer from overheating. This is due to the still unripened thermoregulation system. Therefore, parents, especially in the summer, should monitor the condition of the child. On the street the baby must be dressed in the weather, do not wrap it. Particular care must be taken of the child on the beach. Headgear is an obligatory attribute of rest.
Symptoms of heat stroke are usually pronounced. This is a headache, lethargy, drowsiness. Less often the baby complains of nausea. In the most difficult situations, there is a loss of consciousness. However, in some cases, overheating can provoke only a slight increase in body temperature. How to understand that the child has overheated( 2 years)?The temperature of 37 without symptoms is one of the symptoms.
What should I do if my baby's body temperature rises?
Initially, make sure that the temperature readings were correctly measured. It is recommended to repeat the procedure in 20-30 minutes. To panic it is not necessary, even if the patient is very small( to the child 2 years).Temperature 37, what to do? If at the same time the baby feels bad, has become capricious, he has lost his appetite, it is necessary to call a specialist at home. The doctor will be able to make a preliminary diagnosis and prescribe a survey.
Is it worth worrying if the behavior of the child has not changed, while the body temperature is kept at 37.0-37.5 degrees. To panic there is no necessity, and here to address on consultation it is desirable. It is possible that this is a feature of the baby. Slightly elevated body temperature in children under 3 years is not always a deviation.
Prevention is always better than any treatment. In order not to face situations that can cause a rise in the body temperature of the baby, it is worthwhile to monitor its nutrition and rest. In accordance with age, it is necessary to temper the child, as much as possible to spend with him in the fresh air.
Timely recourse to a doctor is the key to success. Visiting a pediatrician is also recommended once a year for preventive examination.