*3.3. Body Temperature*

The body temperature was statistically lower in preterm neonates compared to term neonates (median [IQR] 36.7 [36.4–37.0] ◦C vs. 36.8 [36.6–37.0] ◦C, *p* = 0.001). EPI had the highest body temperature (median [IQR] 37.0 [36.9–37.4] ◦C) and VPI (median [IQR] 36.7 [36.3–37.0] ◦C, *p* = 0.039) and LPI (median [IQR] 36.7 [36.4–37.0] ◦C, *p* = 0.017) had the lowest mean body temperature compared to the other groups 15 min after birth (Figure 3). There were significant di fferences in body temperature between LPI and term born infants (median [IQR] 36.7 [36.4–37.0] ◦C vs. 36.8 [36.6–37.0] ◦C, *p* = 0.004). There were no di fferences between LPI and VPI (*p* = 1.000), between VPI and term born infants (*p* = 0.279), as well as between EPI and term born infants (*p* = 0.293). In general, the prevalence of hypothermia was significantly higher in preterm neonates compared to term neonates (29.5% vs. 12.0%, *p* < 0.001). The prevalence of normothermic, hypothermic, and hyperthermic neonates within the groups and sub-groups is presented in detail in Table 3. None of the included neonates su ffered from severe hypothermia. Four infants (0.7%) had a body temperature of >38.0 ◦C.

**Figure 3.** Boxplot (box: median, 1st and 3rd quartile; whisker: lower and upper extreme within 1.5 times the inter-quartile range from the upper or lower quartile; O: outliner >1.5 to <3 times the interquartile range from the upper or lower quartile, \*: extreme outliner ≥3 times the interquartile range from the upper or lower quartile; highest and lowest extreme outliner demonstrate minimum and maximum range) of body temperature (◦C) according to gestational age: term (≥37<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> weeks of gestation), preterm (<37<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> weeks of gestation) and subgroups EPI (extremely preterm infants ≤28<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> weeks of gestation), VPI (very preterm infants >28<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> and <32<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> weeks of gestation), and LPI (late preterm infants ≥32<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> and <37<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> weeks of gestation).

**Table 3.** Prevalence of normothermia (36.5–37.5 ◦C), mild hypothermia (36.0–36.4 ◦C), moderate hypothermia (32.0–35.9 ◦C), and hyperthermia (>37.5 ◦C) in the study sample (term [≥37<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> weeks of gestation], preterm [<37<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> weeks of gestation], and subgroups EPI [extremely preterm infants ≤28<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> weeks of gestation], VPI [very preterm infants >28<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> and <32<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> weeks of gestation], and LPI [late preterm infants ≥32<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> and <37<sup>+</sup><sup>0</sup> weeks of gestation]). Data are expressed in *n* (%).

