Comparison of Temporal Artery to Rectal Temperature Measurements in Children Up to 24 Months

This descriptive study compared temporal artery (TA) and rectal temperature measurements, patient comfort during temperature measurements, and nursing time required to obtain temperature measurements. Study participants (n = 40) included children 0–24 months old with fever higher than 38°C, admitted to a freestanding children's hospital in the Midwest. Statistical analysis of 450 paired TA and rectal temperature measurements revealed a 0.776 correlation, mean difference of 0.03°C, and 94.7% of measurements differing by less than 1.0°C. Patient comfort, measured via the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability Scale, was enhanced with TA thermometry compared to rectal. TA thermometry resulted in an 87% savings of nursing time.

Key words: Temperature, Temporal artery thermometer, Toddlers, Children, Hospitalized