Most commonly results from interactions between central heat conservation and
heat dissipation at the hypothalamic level.
May be caused by immunogenic pyrogens – most commonly PGE-2.
Generally, neonates react to pyrogens with hypothermia rather than fever.
Etiologies of increased temperature
Increased metabolic rate
Status epilepticus
Excessive environmental heat
Poor incubator monitoring
Excessive swaddling
BILIRUBIN & JAUNDICE
2004 AAP Guidelines
Jaundice occurs in most neonates; most is benign. However because of the potential
toxicity of bilirubin, it is important to recognize hyperbilirubinemia and be aware of the
risk factors for it. The 2004 AAP recommendations are for newborns > 35 weeks
gestation, and “do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or procedure to be
followed”.
One third of healthy breast-fed infants have persistent jaundice beyond 2 weeks of age.
Jaundice beyond 3 weeks of age merits investigation.