Comparison of rectal, infra red tympanic and infra red skin temperature in term neonates

Background: The measurement of body temperature is an important parameter in neonatal care as it is useful in the assessment of clinical state and necessary for the provision of appropriate nursing support. Hypothermia is one of the important risk factor in causing death in newborns of all weight and gestational age groups. Aim and objectives: To compare rectal, infra red tympanic and infra red skin temperature in term neonates and to assess the accuracy and effectiveness of these non invasive thermometers in term neonates. Materials and methods: It was a Hospital based prospective, non randomized study conducted at Department of Pediatrics in G.B Pant Hospital (neonatology section) an associated Hospital of GMC Srinagar. This study was conducted over a period of 1 year from April 2013 to march 2014. Results: Total of 300 term neonates between the age of 1- 29 days were included in the study. Mean temperature recorded with rectal thermometer was 36.58 0C, with Infra red tympanic thermometer was 36.47 0 C and with Infra red skin thermometer was 36.55 0C. Difference between means of rectal and Infra red tympanic thermometer was statistically significant (P=0.015) and difference between means of rectal and Infra red skin thermometer was statistically not significant (P = 0.18). Coefficient of correlation between rectal and tympanic was 0.772 and between rectal and skin was 0.955 which was statistically significant in both (P valve < 0.001). Conclusion: Non contact Infra red skin thermometer is a very simple, safe and reliable method for measurement of body temperature in neonates. It can be used in peripheral settings as it is user friendly as well as patient friendly.