Deborah Callanan1. 1. Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital, San Antonio, TX, USA. deborahcallanan@yahoo.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Fever in young infants frequently triggers a laboratory evaluation because of the increased likelihood of serious bacterial infections. Reported fever by methods other than rectal thermometry is of concern. This study evaluates the validity of perceived, pacifier, and temporal artery (TA) temperatures. METHODS: A convenience sample of 200 babies younger than 3 months of age presenting to an emergency department was evaluated for parental perception of fever and with TA, pacifier, and rectal temperatures. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of perceived and TA detection of fever were similar at 91 and 79, and 83 and 86, respectively. Febrile pacifier readings had a sensitivity of 99, but a specificity of only 46. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal thermometry must remain the standard for infants younger than 3 months of age.
OBJECTIVES:Fever in young infants frequently triggers a laboratory evaluation because of the increased likelihood of serious bacterial infections. Reported fever by methods other than rectal thermometry is of concern. This study evaluates the validity of perceived, pacifier, and temporal artery (TA) temperatures. METHODS: A convenience sample of 200 babies younger than 3 months of age presenting to an emergency department was evaluated for parental perception of fever and with TA, pacifier, and rectal temperatures. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of perceived and TA detection of fever were similar at 91 and 79, and 83 and 86, respectively. Febrile pacifier readings had a sensitivity of 99, but a specificity of only 46. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal thermometry must remain the standard for infants younger than 3 months of age.
Authors: Daniel Kwok-keung Ng; Chung-hong Chan; Eric Yat-tung Chan; Ka-li Kwok; Pok-yu Chow; Wing-Fai Lau; Jackson Che-Shun Ho Journal: Am J Infect Control Date: 2005-05 Impact factor: 2.918