4.2 Information about body temperature
It is a common misconception that 37 °C is the „normal body temperature". It is actually
the case that 37 °C is the average body temperature. The normal body temperature is
in a range that varies with age, gender and measuring point. Furthermore, the body
temperature fluctuates over the course of the day. It is usually lower in the morning,
higher in the afternoon and goes down a little again in the evening. Other factors that
affect body temperature may be: the patient's particular activity, metabolic rate or
medications taken. The normal body temperature also tends to drop with increasing
age.
The normal temperatures are listed in the following table according to the age of the
patient and measuring point. Temperatures measured at different parts of the body,
even if they are measured at the same time, must not be directly compared with one
another, as body temperature differs between measuring points.
Temperature
measuring
points
Ear
Mouth
Heart
Rectum
Armpit
References:
Chamberlain, J, Terndrup, T., et al. (1995) Determination of Normal Ear Temperature with an Infrared Emission Detection
Thermometer. Annals of Emergency
Medicine, Volume 25, Issue 1, Pages 15-20
Braim. S., Preston, P., and Smith, R. (1988) Getting a better read on thermometry. RN. 1998 Mar; 61(3):57-60
Munk, P, Woods, S, Leduc, D., et al Canadian Paediatric Society Statement; Temperature Measurement in Paediatrics;
Paediatric Child Health Vol 5 No 5: July/
August, 2000
Brunner, L. and Suddarth, Dl, et.al. (1982) The Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, Third Edition; J. B. Lippincott Company,
Philadelphia, PA; 1982; p.1145
Houdas, Y. and Ring, E. F. J.. Human Body Temperature, Its Measurement and Regulation; Plenum Press, NY, 1982;
ri-vital
OVERVIEW OF FUNCTIONS
52
Normal body temperatures according to patient age
0-2 years
3-10 years
97,5° - 100,4°F
97,0° - 100,0°F
36,4° - 38,0°C
36,1° - 37,8°C
-
95,9° - 99,5°F
-
35,5° - 37,5°C
97,5° - 100,0°F
97,5° - 100,0°F
36,4° - 37,8°C
36,4° - 37,8°C
97,9° - 100,4°F
97,9° - 100,4°F
36,6° - 38,0°C
36,6° - 38,0°C
94,5° - 99,1°F
96,6° - 98,0°F
34,7° - 37,3°C
35,9° - 36,7°C
11-65 years
›65 years
96,6° - 99,7°F
96,4° - 99,5°F
35,9° - 37,6°C
35,8° - 37,5°C
97,6° - 99,6°F
96,4° - 98,5°F
36,4° - 37,6°C
35,8° - 36,9°C
98,2° - 100,2°F
96,6° - 98,8°F
36,8° - 37,9°C
35,9° - 37,1°C
98,6° - 100,6°F
97,1° - 99,2°F
37,0° - 38,1°C
36,2° - 37,3°C
95,3° - 98,4°F
96,0° - 97,4°F
35,2° - 36,9°C
35,6° - 36,3°C
p.81-87.