Axillary versus rectal temperatures in preterm infants under radiant warmers

Twenty-five preterm neonates were studied to determine whether monitoring of body temperature may be accomplished by taking axillary instead of rectal temperatures. Both axillary and rectal temperatures were taken simultaneously 12 times over a two-day period. Temperatures were recorded at three, five, eight, and ten minutes. The researchers concluded that an axillary measurement of temperature may be adequately substituted for rectal measurement of temperature.