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Comparison of Temporal Artery Thermometry with Axillary and Rectal Thermometry in Full Term Neonates

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Abstract

Objective

To assess the efficacy of temporal artery thermometer in febrile and hypothermic neonates in comparison to axillary thermometer.

Methods

It was a cross sectional observational study. Study participants included 210 neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital, divided into three groups of 70 each, namely normothermic, febrile and hypothermic. Temperatures were measured using temporal artery, axillary and rectal thermometers in each patient.

Results

Mean rectal temperature was found to be comparable to mean temporal artery temperature in normothermic babies. Temporal artery thermometer had a better sensitivity to diagnose fever, than hypothermia. Also, temporal artery temperature showed a good correlation with rectal temperature in normothermic and febrile group and not in hypothermic neonates.

Conclusions

Temporal artery thermometer can accurately detect temperature in febrile and normothermic fullterm neonates but not in hypothermic neonates. Further studies are required before advocating temporal artery thermometry as a replacement of rectal thermometry among this group of population.

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Acknowledgments

Authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of Mr. Rajiv Kumar, Department of Biostatistics, University College of Medical Sciences, for helping them in statistical analysis.

Contributions

PB, and EG conceptualized the study. PB, EG and PD designed the protocol. EG and RK collected data. PB, EG, and RK analyzed and interpreted data, searched literature and drafted the manuscript. PB and PD critically analyzed the manuscript. PB will act as guarantor for the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi) and Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, 110095, India

    Ekta Goswami, Prerna Batra, Ritika Khurana & Pooja Dewan

Authors
  1. Ekta Goswami
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  2. Prerna Batra
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  3. Ritika Khurana
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  4. Pooja Dewan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Prerna Batra.

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Goswami, E., Batra, P., Khurana, R. et al. Comparison of Temporal Artery Thermometry with Axillary and Rectal Thermometry in Full Term Neonates. Indian J Pediatr 84, 195–199 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-016-2259-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-016-2259-z

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