Comparison of aural infrared with traditional rectal temperatures in children from birth to age three years

Glass-mercury rectal temperatures were compared with aural temperatures ("rectal equivalent" mode) in 234 children from birth to age 36 months. Sixty-two percent of measurements were divergent by at least 0.3 degrees C, 35% by greater than 0.6 degrees C. The aural infrared thermometer cannot be recommended for these ages; measurements were unacceptably inaccurate.