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A comparison of aural and rectal temperature measurements in children with moderate and severe injuries
L M Bernardo1, B Clemence, R Henker
1School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Insights
Ear-based (aural) infrared temperature measurements show promise as a reliable screening tool for injured children in emergency departments, correlating well with traditional rectal temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric emergency medicine
- Trauma care
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Accurate temperature monitoring is crucial in pediatric trauma care.
- Rectal temperature measurement is considered a gold standard but can be invasive.
- Non-invasive alternatives are needed for efficient trauma assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the accuracy of initial rectal and aural (ear-based) temperature measurements in children with moderate to severe injuries.
- To evaluate the utility of infrared aural thermometry in a pediatric trauma setting.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, cross-sectional study design was employed.
- 40 pediatric trauma patients were enrolled at a level I pediatric regional resource trauma center.
- Aural temperatures were measured using infrared technology, and rectal temperatures were measured with a thermistor.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant difference was found between rectal and aural temperature measurements (mean difference = -0.3°C, p < 0.05).
- A moderate to high positive correlation (r = 0.85) was observed between the two measurement methods.
- The subjects' ages ranged from 1 to 14 years.
Conclusions:
- Infrared aural thermometry demonstrates a moderate to high correlation with rectal temperatures in injured children.
- Aural temperature measurement shows potential as a non-invasive screening tool in pediatric emergency departments.
- Further validation may support the integration of aural thermometry into routine trauma care protocols.
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.
Design:
A cross-sectional, prospective design was used to compare aural temperature and rectal temperatures in injured children.
Sample/Setting:
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).
Conclusion:
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.