Accuracy and Precision of Digital Thermometer in Neonatal Temperature Measurement

Abstract

Objective : The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy and precision of digital thermometer for axillary and rectal thermometry in neonates. Study Design : A prospective study was conducted. One hundred infants, 0 to 28 days old, weighing 860 to 3750 gm with a gestational age of 26 to 43 weeks were measured by a gold standard mercury-in-glass thermometer and then a digital thermometer for axillary and rectal temperatures, respectively. The accuracy was analyzed by the accepted difference between mercury-in-glass versus digital thermometer of 0.1 OC and 0.2 OC. Results : For rectal thermometry, accuracy of ±0.1 OC and ±0.2 OC was 68% (95%CI=58.3%, 76.3%) and 87% (95%CI=79%, 92.2%), respectively. For axillary thermometry, accuracy was 64 %(95%CI=54.2%, 72.7%) and 78% (95%CI=68.9%, 85%) for ±0.1OC and ±0.2OC, respectively. The precision of the digital thermometer was 86% (95%CI=77.9%, 91.5%) and 75% (95%CI=65.7%, 82.5%) for rectal and axillary digital thermometry, respectively. Conclusions : The digital thermometer could be used instead of the mercury-in-glass thermometer in relatively healthy neonates who could accept a wider range of temperature fluctuation within ±0.2OC. But for sick or critical neonates, the mercury-in-glass thermometer is still the recommended thermometer.