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Temperature monitoring in newborns using thermospot
Ranjan Kumar Pejaver1, R Nisarga, B Gowda
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India. pejaver@prismbooks.com
Objective:
Hypothermia is a common problem in newborns. This is more so in community environment especially in low-birth weight and preterm babies.
Methods:
A simple liquid crystal temperature monitoring device was used in 20 infants on a continuous basis to monitor for hypothermia. This was compared with the measurement of rectal temperature using a rectal thermometer. The colour changes and measures to be taken when hypothermia occurs was explained to the mothers and was well understood by all.
Results:
The Thermo Spot was in agreement with the rectal temperature in 310 out of 313 measurements. This includes 299 times when temperature was normal; and 11 times when the temperature was hypothermic. It underestimated the temperature of three infants, falsely indicating hypothermia in a normothermic child with normal body temperature. It correctly identified hypothermia in every case.
Conclusion:
ThermoSpot device is a simple accurate device allowing continuous thermal monitoring of low birth weight infants, especially in resource poor setting.
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