A practical comparison of temporal artery thermometry and axillary thermometry in neonates under different environments

Abstract

Given the good agreement and increased comfort with TT use, our study confirms that TT is comparable to AT for neonates nursed in room air. TT is therefore recommended for the temperature screening and monitoring of neonates nursed on ambient air. Its use in other environments and factors predictive of comparability of both methods requires further study.

Temperature Monitoring Devices in Neonates

“…However, when used in sick neonates in neonatal intensive care units, studies have shown that the difference between temporal artery and electronic axillary measurements exceeds the threshold for clinical significance ( 74 ). Sim et al ( 75 ) analyzed this difference according to the neonate's environment and found that the difference between the measurements varied depending on the environment, ranging from 0.10°C for neonates in cots to 0.97 and 1.15°C for those under radiant warmers and in incubators, respectively. Furthermore, when compared to digital rectal thermometry, temporal artery thermometers were found to have a sensitivity of 73.6% and specificity of 52.9% in detecting hypothermia (<36.5°C).…”

Temporal Artery Temperature Measurement in the Neonate

“…While the accuracy of temporal artery thermometers has been examined in adults and older children, few studies have investigated the accuracy and reliability of this method in neonates. [16][17][18][19][20] Duran and coworkers 16 compared temporal artery with axillary temperature measurements in 34 verylow-birth-weight infants; they found that the mean temperature was higher by 0.1°C and pain scores were lower with temporal artery measurement. Lee and collaborators 17 studied 34 moderate and late preterm or term infants, recording simultaneously measured temporal artery and axillary temperatures and infant discomfort scores.…”

“…The mean temporal artery temperature (measured with the Thermoflash LX-26 Evolution thermometer) was higher in all environments but was closest to axillary temperature in infants nursed in open cribs and farthest above axillary temperature in infants housed in incubators. 20 The impact of maturity, that is, postmenstrual age on the accuracy of the temporal artery thermometer, has not been previously explored. It is important to understand the effects of these variables, as they may alter the reliability of measurements performed with the temporal artery thermometer.…”

A narrative review of thermoregulation techniques used by paediatric theatre staff during intra hospital transfer from paediatric theatres to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ( NICU)

“…In spite of guidelines recommending axillary temperature measurement as a robust method and being common practice within neonatal care, it can also be intrusive with some research showing neonatal discomfort(Sim et al, 2016).…”