Influence of otitis media on the correlation between rectal and auditory canal temperatures

Article Abstract:

In children, and especially in infants, elevation of body temperature may be the only indication of serious illness. It is important that body temperature be measured accurately. A common method of taking body temperature in non-newborn ambulatory children is to insert a thermometer into the rectum to obtain a rectal temperature (RT). This method is inconvenient, invasive, time-consuming and uncomfortable for the patient and exposes personnel to infection. A recent innovation is the measurement of body temperature as a function of infrared emissions. Measurement of auditory canal temperature (ACT) in adults seems to be accurate when compared with rectal temperatures. It has been suggested that the presence of otitis media, a middle ear infection, may not permit adequate temperature measurement using ACT. A study was undertaken to determine the influence of otitis media on the accuracy of ACT temperature measurement. There were 251 children examined in a hospital emergency department. Auditory canal temperatures were measured in both ears and correlated with the rectal temperature. In children with otitis media the correlation was 0.81, while in children without otitis media the correlation was 0.75. For patients with otitis media in one ear only, there was no difference between temperatures obtained from the infected and noninfected ears. It was concluded that ACTs of children with acute otitis media reflected the temperature elevation seen in the rectal temperature as well. These temperatures were significantly higher than those obtained in children without otitis media. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Temperature measuring instruments, Otitis media

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The inaccuracy of axillary temperatures measured with an electronic thermometer

Article Abstract:

The use of electronic fever thermometers in the home is increasing; this is because they are easy to use, and provide accurate and rapid readings. In many cases, it is advisable to take axillary (armpit) temperature, rather than rectal or oral temperature. Axillary temperature is particularly useful in newborns and in uncooperative children; it also prevents the spread of infection. While electronic thermometers are reasonably accurate in taking oral or rectal temperature, their accuracy for axillary temperature is questionable. The reliability of electronic thermometers for axillary temperature was assessed and data sets were obtained for 164 children. Of the total group, 95 had a previously diagnosed fever and 69 had no fever. Two types of comparisons were made; 103 oral-axillary temperature measurements, and 61 rectal-axillary temperature measurements. More than 50 percent of the children with fever were not detected by axillary measurement with the electronic thermometer. Those who had lower grade fevers were more likely to be overlooked. At a temperature of 37.4 degrees Centigrade (about normal), the sensitivity was 46 percent; specificity was 99 percent; positive predictive value was 97 percent, and the negative predictive value 72 percent. The study suggests that in an outpatient setting, electronic thermometers should be used only orally or rectally, since their reliability for taking axillary temperatures is not adequate. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Fever

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The pacifier thermometer: comparison of supralingual with rectal temperatures in infants and young children

Article Abstract:

The Steridyne pacifier thermometer may accurately measure core temperature in children. Temperature by rectal thermometer is the best way to screen for fever, but many parents are uncomfortable with the technique. Researchers compared pacifier and rectal thermometer temperatures in 100 children aged 7 days to 2 years. The pacifier temperatures, when raised one-half degree, were essentially equal to the corresponding rectal temperatures. Steridyne Corp. will include instructions with the pacifier unit alerting users to adjust the displayed temperature to obtain a rectal equivalent.

Product information, Diagnosis, Fever in children, Childhood fever, Steridyne Corp.

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