Core and peripheral temperature as a marker for sepsis in the preterm infant

Abstract

Aimthe aim of this contemporary paper is to try and demonstrate that infants who are born prematurely, before 32 weeks’ gestation, react to sepsis by widening the gradient between core (oesophageal) and peripheral (foot) temperature. DesignExploratory descriptive, non-experimental observational prospective study on infants born at or before 32 weeks’ gestation, admitted to the neonatal intensive care. MethodAll infants born at or before 32 weeks’ gestation, admitted to the NICU, received parental consent were enrolled in the study. ConclusionInconclusive results. Although this study does not show any significant differences between core and peripheral temperature, discussing issues which were raised whilst conducting the study may have some benefits to other researchers. The study would have continued, giving us a larger cohort of infants if Philips had not discontinued the manufacturing of the InnerSense oesophageal temperature probe.