temperature measurement
Last reviewed 01/2018
- several non-invasive methods, such as rectal, oral, ear and axillary temperatures
are used to estimate the core temperature
- the rectal temperature is higher
than at other sites, traditionally oral and axillary readings are adjusted to
the rectal temperature by adding 0.3°C and 0.5°C, respectively (1)
- adjustments have a very limited scientific grounding (1)
- also individual variability in temperature has been observed between right and left ear, and right and left axilla
- in a study comparing the temperature results from oral, ear, axillary
and rectal readings (1):
- mean deviation between rectal temperature, and oral, ear and axillary temperatures, respectively, was > 0.5 degrees C, with a large individual variation
- the authors concluded that, in order to improve the evaluation of body temperature, the assessment should be based on the individual variation, the same site of measurement and no adjustment of oral, ear or axillary temperatures to the rectal site
- the rectal temperature is higher
than at other sites, traditionally oral and axillary readings are adjusted to
the rectal temperature by adding 0.3°C and 0.5°C, respectively (1)
Reference:
NICE guidance - thermometers and detection of fever in children younger than 5 years