Tympanic thermometry in Nigerian children

Akinyinka, O. O.; Omokhodion, Samuel; Olawuyi, J. F.; Olumese, P.E.; Bj, Brown

doi:10.1080/02724930123881

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In this study, we found a strong positive correlation between rectal and tympanic temperatures as earlier reported in other studies in Nigeria [ 12 , 17 ]. The mean rectal temperature taken with the mercury-in-glass thermometer was significantly higher than the mean tympanic temperature taken with the Infrared tympanic thermometer by 0.09 °C.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…The infrared tympanic thermometers are non-invasive [ 10 ], provide rapid readings within a few seconds [ 9 - 11 ] and are not affected by the presence of cerumen or otitis media [ 5 ]. Previous studies done in different settings have shown that rectal temperatures compared with tympanic temperatures could have strong correlation [ 12 - 17 ] and mean differences ranged from 0.29 °C to 0.4 °C [ 13 , 16 ]. Despite the good correlation, there are still controversies on the accuracy of tympanic thermometry in the reports of studies in children; neonatal period [ 2 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 19 ] and beyond [ 10 - 15 , 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A comparison of tympanic and rectal temperatures in term NIGERIAN neonates

2012

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BackgroundTympanic thermometry has come as a suitable alternative to traditional thermometry because of its safety and ease of use. However, it is still yet to gain wide acceptance in African settings due to conflicting results on its accuracy, thus rectal thermometry remains the gold standard in the newborn. The aim of this study was to compare tympanic and rectal temperatures in term Nigerian neonates.MethodsRectal and tympanic temperatures were measured simultaneously in 300 consecutive term neonates between the ages of 37 and 42 weeks gestation using mercury-in-glass and the Infrared tympanic thermometers respectively. Paired t test, Pearson correlation coefficient and the Bland-Altman plot were used to compute data. Using rectal thermometry as gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of tympanic thermometry at various rectal temperature cut-offs were determined. Receiver Operating Curves (ROC) were constructed and the Areas Under the Curves (AUC) were compared.ResultsThe mean rectal temperature (37.34 ± 0.55°C) was significantly higher than the mean tympanic temperature (37.25 ± 0.56°C) (p < 0.001) with a mean difference of 0.09 °C ± 0.24 °C (95% CI: 0.06, 0.12). There was a strong positive correlation between the two measurements (r = 0.9; p < 0.001). Tympanic thermometry showed sensitivities ranging from 65% to 86% and specificities of 95% to 99% at rectal temperature cut-offs of 37.5°C to 38°C. The positive and negative predictive values of the tympanic temperatures at the various temperature cut-offs ranged from 82% to 93% and 80% to 98% respectively. Accuracy was noted to increase with higher temperatures as shown by the Receiver Operating Curves with the highest accuracy at the temperature cut-off of 38°C and AUC of 0.91.ConclusionsThe sensitivity of tympanic thermometry was relatively low in detecting rectal temperatures despite the good correlation and agreement between them. The specificities and predictive values of tympanic temperatures in detecting rectal temperatures were high and accuracy increased with higher temperatures. Though using the tympanic route for measuring temperature in the newborn is relatively safe and non-invasive, its low sensitivity limits its use. Further studies would be required to further assess the accuracy of tympanic temperature measurements in the newborn.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of tympanic and rectal temperatures in term NIGERIAN neonates

2012

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“…It was also reassuring that patient welfare was included as a reason for the use of tympanic thermometry by many subjects. These findings echo the conclusions of previous studies where IRTT was identified as quicker, cleaner and simpler than other methods of temperature determination [5,19,22]. The expressed perceived accuracy, reliability, ease of use and acceptability to patients was confirmed by the VAS items.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Current practice and knowledge of nurses regarding patient temperature measurement

Evans

Kenkre

2006

Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology

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The group most involved in temperature measurement was characterized as nursing auxiliary grades with the fewest years of experience. IRTT was the most frequently-used method for measuring patient temperatures, with high perceived accuracy, reliability, ease of use and acceptability to patients. A poor level of understanding and training in the use of IRTT was revealed across all clinical grades. Recommendations for future investigations are made.

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“…6,12 Reports of their accuracy are conflicting. 10,13,14 This study compares simultaneous measurements of temperature by the rectal, axillary and tympanic routes in febrile children under 5 years of age, and determines their degree of agreement and the mathematical relationship (if any) between measurements from these various sites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparative study of rectal tympanic and axillary thermometry in febrile children under 5 years of age in Nigeria

Abdulkadir

Johnson

2013

Paediatrics and International Child Health

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Mean (SD) rectal temperature was 38.8 (0.7)°C, and mean (SD) tympanic and axillary temperatures were 38.7 (0.7)°C and 38.1 (0.7)°C, respectively. There was no significant difference between rectal and tympanic temperatures (P = 0.14), and a strong correlation was identified between values from these two sites (r = 0.91). At 91.5%, the sensitivity of tympanic thermometry in determining fever was higher than that of axillary measurements (54.0%). A mathematical relationship was demonstrated between rectal/tympanic temperatures and between rectal/axillary temperatures as follows: Rectal temperature (°C) = 6.03+0.85 * Mean tympanic temperature (°C) Rectal temperature (°C) = 11.7+0.71 * Axillary temperature (°C) Conclusion: In febrile children, tympanic temperature better reflects rectal temperature than does axillary temperature; tympanic temperature should therefore be measured when there are no contra-indications for its use.

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Tympanic thermometry in Nigerian children

Cited by 11 publications

References 18 publications

A comparison of tympanic and rectal temperatures in term NIGERIAN neonates

A comparison of tympanic and rectal temperatures in term NIGERIAN neonates

Current practice and knowledge of nurses regarding patient temperature measurement

A comparative study of rectal tympanic and axillary thermometry in febrile children under 5 years of age in Nigeria

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