Comparison of Rectal Temperature with Axillary and Tympanic Temperature

신생아의 직장체온과 고막 및 액와체온과의 비교

Body temperature should be measured accurately to assess neonate's condition for proper care. Temperatures measured in rectal, axillary and tympanic site were compared in 129 normal neonates to find out proper nursing time for measuring temperature and the validity of fever detection. The results were as follows : 1. Mean temperatures of axillary and tympanic site($36.85^{\circ}C,\;37.12^{\circ}C$) were significantly lower than those of rectal site($37.19^{\circ}C$). 2. Mean nursing time for measuring body temperature was significantly higher and lower in axillary and tympanic temperatures(159.49 seconds, 11.07 seconds) than in rectal temperature(105.62 seconds). 3. Tympanic and axillary temperatures were significantly correlated with rectal temperature (r=0.85, r=0.78) and the significant correlation was demonstrated between tympanic and axillary temperatures(r=0.76). 4. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 0.87, 0.90, 0.72, 0.96 for detecting fever respectively. The above findings indicated that the tympanic thermometer offers a useful alternative to conventional methods.