Background: Hypothermia in newborns is strongly associated with increased morbidity. Despite its importance, where and how temperature should be measured is not still clearly defined. Aim:To compare sites and instruments for measuring temperature in newborns to estimate differences and limits of agreement.Patients: Sample: 107 healthy term newborns. The temperature was measured in three different body sites (forehaed, axilla and rectum), using three different thermomethers.Results: Mean ± DS rectal temperature was 36.9 ± 0.4°C, mean axillary temperature was 36.5 ± 0.4°C, mean skin temperature was 36.1 ± 0.4°C. The mean rectal-axillary temperature difference was 0.3 °C (limits of agreement -0.30 to 0.92); the mean axillary-skin difference was 0.35°C (limits of agreement -0.45 to 1.17); the rectal-skin difference was 0.67°C (limits of agreement -0.05 to 1.40). All the differences between methods are statistically significant. Infants born after a cesarean section had a slightly lower temperature than after vaginal delivery. Conclusions:Observed values of temperature depend on site and type of thermometer used.Since the measure in different sites produces different results, it seems necessary to define an objective way to assess it. The core-peripheral temperature difference may detect a thermal stress.mother-infant bonding and breastfeeding, while infrared forehead measurement would not, because of its lack of body contact. Given all these uncertainties, the aim of the study was to compare different instruments for measuring temperature in different sites of the body in a sample of newborns at birth, to estimate differences and limits of agreement. PatientsWe studied a sample of 107 healthy (i.e not requiring any special care) term newborns. All these newborns had an uneventful delivery, and followed the usual routine of care of our hospital: for the first two hours after delivery, mother and baby were transferred in a post-delivery room with a controlled temperature of 24°C. During this observation period, the babies stayed with their mothers, covered with clothes after being bathed and dried. After this time mothers and infants were transferred to the ward, where we carried out the measurements. MethodsFor each infant, the temperature was measured by the same nurse in three different body sites (forehaed, axilla and rectum), using three different thermometers specifically designed for each site, at two hours of life. Rectal temperature was assessed by digital thermometer Chicco Artsana; axillary temperature by electronic themometer Journal of Pregnancy and Child Health