What is a key difference between child and adult temperatures?

• A. Adults run hotter than children on average.
• B. Children have higher temperatures on average but lose temperature fast.
• C. Children's temperatures are lower on average and more stable.
• D. Temperature differences are identical between children and adults.

Answer: (B)

Pediatric temperature regulation differs from adults in that kids can swing more in response to both heat production and heat loss. Children have a larger surface area relative to their body mass and thinner insulation, so they lose heat quickly when exposed to cooler environments or during procedures. At the same time, during illness their metabolic and fever responses can push core temperatures higher. This combination means temperatures in children can be higher on average in feverish states, yet can drop rapidly when heat loss increases or when conditions change. The choice that captures this pattern—higher potential temperatures during illness but rapid temperature loss due to heat exchange—best reflects the difference between child and adult temperature regulation. The other statements either imply no difference, or claim patterns (consistently hotter, or consistently more stable) that aren’t supported by how pediatric thermoregulation actually behaves.