A comparison of aural and rectal temperature measurements in children with moderate and severe injuries.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare initial rectal and aural (i.e., ear-based) temperature measurements in children with moderate and severe injuries during their trauma care in the emergency department.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, prospective design was used to compare aural temperature and rectal temperatures in injured children.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 40 children who met the study inclusion criteria were enrolled at the level I pediatric regional resource trauma center in western Pennsylvania.


METHODS
Aural temperature was measured by infrared technology (IVAC Corporation, San Diego, Calif.), and rectal temperatures were measured with a thermistor (IVAC Corporation).


RESULTS
The subjects (N = 40) ranged in age from 1 to 14 years (mean 6.9 years; SD = 4.4 years). The mean difference between rectal and aural temperature measurements (mean = -0.3 degree C; SD = 0.76 degree C) was statistically significant when compared with a paired t test (p < 0.05). The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient between aural and rectal temperature measurements was moderate to high (r = 0.85).


CONCLUSIONS
The moderate to high correlation between the two methods shows promise for use of aural infrared temperature measurements as a screening measure for children with moderate and severe injuries.
Bernardo
L M
LM
School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Clemence
B
B
Henker
R
R
Hogue
B
B
Schenkel
K
K
Walters
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D007223:Infant; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012007:Rectum; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013821:Thermometers / Q000592:standards*; D014432:Tympanic Membrane; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*