Optimization of the Recommended Time for Rectal Temperature Measurement in Children: An Observational Study

• 作者: Leshan Zhou Qian Zhao Yanwei Li
• 来源期刊: 儿科学期刊(英文)
• 学科: 医学
• 关键词: FEVER MERCURY THERMOMETER PEDIATRICS RECTAL Temperature
• 年，卷（期）: 2019,（2）
• 页码范围: 139-147
• 页数: 9页
• 分类号: R73

摘要

Background: This study aimed to determine the optimum time required to measure rectal temperature in children with mercury-in-glass thermometers. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study involved a random sample of pediatric patients ≤5 years of age. Body temperature was measured for 3 - 5 minutes using standard mercury-in-glass rectal thermometers. Outcomes were rectal body temperatures at 1, 2, and 3 minutes until reaching a stable rectal temperature, and the final rectal temperature. Results: This study recruited 120 children. Mean time to reach a stable rectal temperature was 1.8 minutes (range: 30 seconds to five minutes). 90% of pediatric patients’ temperature came out within ±0.1°C of the final temperature at two minutes. There was no correlation between the time taken to reach a stable rectal temperature and age, body weight, gender, or the final temperature. Conclusion: Mercury-in-glass thermometers can be used to obtain accurate rectal temperature measurements at two minutes in routine pediatric practice.