TITLE:
Optimization of the Recommended Time for Rectal Temperature Measurement in Children: An Observational Study
AUTHORS:
Qian Zhao, Yanwei Li, Leshan Zhou
KEYWORDS:
Fever, Mercury Thermometer, Pediatrics, Rectal Temperature
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.9 No.2,
May
29,
2019
ABSTRACT: Background: This study aimed to determine the optimum time required to measure rectal
temperature in children with mercury-in-glass thermometers. Methods: This cross-sectional
observational study involved a random sample of pediatric patients ≤5 years of
age. Body temperature was measured for 3 - 5 minutes using standard
mercury-in-glass rectal thermometers. Outcomes were rectal body temperatures at
1, 2, and 3 minutes until reaching a
stable rectal temperature, and the final rectal temperature. Results: This study recruited 120 children. Mean time to reach a stable rectal temperature was 1.8
minutes (range: 30 seconds to five minutes). 90% of pediatric patients’ temperature
came out within ±0.1°C of the final temperature at two minutes. There was no
correlation between the time taken to reach a stable rectal temperature and
age, body weight, gender, or the final temperature. Conclusion: Mercury-in-glass thermometers can be used to obtain accurate rectal temperature
measurements at two minutes in routine pediatric practice.