NICE guidance - thermometers and detection of fever in children younger than 5 years

Last reviewed 02/2023

NICE have stated that (1) with respect to children less than years old:

• oral and rectal routes should not routinely be used to measure the body temperature of children aged 0-5 years
  
  
• in infants under the age of 4 weeks, body temperature should be measured with an electronic thermometer in the axilla
  
  
• in children aged 4 weeks to 5 years, healthcare professionals should measure body temperature by one of the following methods:
  • electronic thermometer in the axilla
  • chemical dot thermometer in the axilla
    • NICE note that healthcare professionals who routinely use disposable chemical dot thermometers should consider using an alternative type of thermometer when multiple temperature measurements are required
  • infra-red tympanic thermometer
    
    
• forehead chemical thermometers are unreliable and should not be used by healthcare professionals
  
  
• reported parental perception of a fever should be considered valid and taken seriously by healthcare professionals

For full details then consult full guideline (1).

Reference:

1. NICE (May 2013).Feverish illness in children: assessment and initial management in children younger than 5 years