Temporal Artery Thermometer Identical to Rectal Thermometer

A recent survey report published in Paediatrica Indonesiana claims that temporal artery thermometers are as safe and precise as rectal ones to check body temperature of new born babies.

A survey was conducted across a cross section of the new born babies between June and July 2008 at the Neonatology Division of the Department of Child Health Medical School at Udayana University’s Sanglah Hospital.  Temperatures of babies a day old and older were checked. The babies were healthy and showed no signs of trauma at child birth.

Temperatures of 134 babies in the neonatal department were checked with temporal artery, axillary and rectal thermometers. Results of readings taken using the Exergen TAT-5000 temporal artery thermometer were compared to the measurement  of axillary and rectal thermometers.  This exercise helped determine whether the tested device was as efficient and safe as the rectal device. The study revealed a definite correlation between the two devices. It also showed that the temporal device displayed a greater degree of accuracy than the underarm version.