[Lack of precision of measurements with neonatal thermometers]

Seventy Uebe's mercury neonatal thermometers were checked in a thermostatically-controlled water bath to detect possible errors in measurement. Sixteen out of 18 old neonatal thermometers showed gross errors of measurement with a maximal deviation of +5.31 degrees C. Out of 52 recently issued neonatal thermometers, only 27 (52%) fulfilled the requirements for correction of maximally 0.10 degree C established by the Danish Ministry of Health. The remaining 25 neonatal thermometers presented lesser errors with a maximal deviation of -0.30 degrees C. Employment of Uebe's mercury neonatal thermometer can thus only be recommended after meticulous testing of the thermometers prior to use and with continued regular control of the accuracy of temperature measurements.