Q: My 9-month-old baby has a 38.7°C fever, bluish hands and feet, and poor feeding. What should I do?

Medically reviewed by Sang Hyun Ahn, MD

This post is a dramatization of a question and answer session experienced by our actual medical reviewers. Please note that this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Question:

My baby is about 9 months (270 days) old. Since last night, they have had a fever, cough, and a runny nose. The fever reached 38.7°C, so I gave them a fever reducer and wiped them with lukewarm water, but the temperature didn't drop much. We went to the clinic this morning and were told their throat is very swollen and an ear infection (otitis media) might develop.

I gave the baby the prescribed medication containing Dexibuprofen and antibiotics. They took a 3-hour nap and seemed fine, but now the fever is back up to 38.7°C. I wiped them with lukewarm water again, bringing it down to about 38.0°C. However, the baby keeps trying to sleep, their hands and feet look bluish, and their face looks somewhat dark red.

Should I just give medicine when the fever rises, massage their hands and feet, and observe them? The baby is sleeping too much, groaning, and hasn't even been able to drink 500ml of formula today.

Answer:

I understand how worried you must be to see your 9-month-old baby experiencing a fever along with bluish hands and feet.

⚠️ We need to assess the current situation first:

You mentioned the hands and feet are bluish. Which of the following applies?

• Only the hands and feet are cold and bluish → This is a temporary phenomenon caused by the fever rising.

• The lips or face are also bluish → Call emergency services immediately.

【Current Management】

A fever of 38.7°C combined with bluish hands and feet can naturally occur during the process of a temperature spike. Here is what you should do:

1. Check the time of the last Dexibuprofen dose → If 4 hours have passed, you can administer it again.

2. Rather than using lukewarm water massages, dress the baby in light clothing and maintain a comfortable room temperature of 24-26°C.

3. Massage the baby's hands and feet to help keep them warm.

4. Do not force the baby to drink formula. Instead, offer small amounts of water or pediatric electrolyte drinks frequently to keep them hydrated.

【Go to the Emergency Room Immediately If:】

→ The baby has difficulty breathing or is wheezing.

→ The lips or face turn blue.

→ The baby's consciousness is blurry, or they are unresponsive when you try to wake them.

→ The baby has not urinated for more than 8 hours.

Since there is a possibility of an ear infection, please continue to give the antibiotics consistently. If the fever persists until tomorrow morning or if the baby continues to refuse fluids entirely, please revisit your doctor for another examination.

It might be a difficult night, but please watch your baby's breathing and level of consciousness very carefully.

For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.

https://fevercoach.us