Jochim Koch Albert Okken Knihy

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.