Factors Affecting Body Temperature

1. Age
• Children’s temperature continue to be more labile than those of adults until puberty
• Elderly people, particularly those > 75 are at risk of hypothermia
• Normal body temperature of the newborn if taken orally is 37 0C.

2. Diurnal variations (circadian rhythms)
• Body temperature varies through out the day
• The point of highest body temperature is usually reached between 8:00 p.m. and midnight and lowest point is reached during sleep between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m.

3. Exercise
• Hard or strenuous exercise can increase body temperature to as high as 38.3 – 40 c – measured rectally

4. Hormones
• In women progesterone secretion at the time of ovulation raises body temperature by about 0.3 – 0.6oc above basal temperature.

5. Stress
• Stimulation of skin can increases the production of epinephrine and nor epinephrine – which increases metabolic activity and heat production.

6. Environment
• Extremes in temperature can affect a person’s temperature regulatory systems.