Thermal regulation in preterm infants.

The development of thermoregulation was studied in 14 healthy preterm infants with body weights of 1000-2200 g, appropriate for gestational age and conception ages of 32-46 weeks. Tympan, skin and rectal temperatures were measured under the same conditions three times daily for 7 successive days. The body temperature, the temperature of the tympan, the facial and abdominal skin temperatures did not show oscillations during the day. The temperature of the tympan, rectum and skin increased when the ambient temperature rose over 28 degrees C. The tympan temperature increased with age starting from 39 weeks post conception.