To minimize the risk of cold stress, core temperatures in healthy or at-risk infants may be considered normal within which range?

• A. 36.5 to 37.5°C
• B. 37.5 to 38.5°C
• C. 38.5 to 39.5°C
• D. 37.0 to 37.9°C

Answer: (B)

The key idea is thermoregulation and avoiding cold stress in newborns. When a baby is kept in a neutral thermal environment, their metabolic energy isn’t wasted on heating or cooling, which helps prevent stressors like hypoglycemia, hypoxia, or acidosis that can come from cold stress. In healthy or at‑risk infants, clinicians often consider a slightly higher, stable core temperature to minimize this risk without tipping into fever. A target range of about 37.5 to 38.5°C provides warmth sufficient to reduce energy expenditure from thermogenesis while avoiding the lower end of hypothermia and the higher end of fever. Temperatures below roughly 37.5°C raise concern for cold stress and increased metabolic demand, while sustained temperatures above 38.5°C warrant evaluation for fever or overheating. So, aiming for roughly 37.5–38.5°C supports stabilization and energy conservation in the neonatal period.