Determination of thermoregulatory state in full-term infants.

A series of nine sets of axillary and tympanic (core) temperature readings were collected from each of 45 full-term infants during the first 4 hours after birth. The pattern of readings and the relationship between axillary and tympanic temperature readings were examined in each infant to determine whether the type of thermal state could be detected and categorized. The findings support the supposition that different thermal states are present and can be determined by the relationship between tympanic and axillary temperature readings. The ability to predict tympanic temperature decrease could not be predicted through examination of axillary-tympanic temperature patterns.