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A comparison of mid-forehead and axillary temperatures in newborn intensive care

Journal of Perinatology volume 35, pages 120–122 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate accuracy of mid-forehead (MFH) thermometry compared with digital axilla (DAT) temperatures in infants in newborn intensive care.

Study design:

A comparative study of MFH and DAT temperatures of newborn infants receiving tertiary-level intensive care. All admissions were considered and the following exclusion criteria applied: ‘in extremis’, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy or non-English-speaking parents. Foot temperatures, infant and environmental variables were measured.

Result:

In all, 783 readings were obtained in 100 infants with a birth weight range 515 to 4885 g (mean 2152 g). The between-person correlation was 0.30 (P<0.001) and the within-person correlation was 0.52 (P<0.001). Bland–Altman plots showed wide 95% confidence intervals in the differences between MFH and DAT measurements (−0.87 to 1.16 °C). Differences were affected by infant variables measured. MFH more accurately predicted DAT measurements in smaller neonates and were less accurate in neonates requiring Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).

Conclusion:

MFH thermometry is not able to replace DAT temperature recording in the newborn intensive care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Dunedin Hospital, Dunedin, New Zealand,

    J Robertson-Smith & F T McCaffrey

  2. Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand,

    R Sayers, S Williams & B J Taylor

Authors
  1. J Robertson-Smith
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  2. F T McCaffrey
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  3. R Sayers
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  4. S Williams
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  5. B J Taylor
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Correspondence to J Robertson-Smith.

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Robertson-Smith, J., McCaffrey, F., Sayers, R. et al. A comparison of mid-forehead and axillary temperatures in newborn intensive care. J Perinatol 35, 120–122 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.148

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.148

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