Ear temperature measurements in healthy children using the arterial heat balance method

K R Powell; K Smith; S W Eberly

doi:10.1177/000992280104000605

Ear temperature measurements in healthy children using the arterial heat balance method

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2001 Jun;40(6):333-6. doi: 10.1177/000992280104000605.

Authors

K R Powell¹, K Smith, S W Eberly

Affiliation

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, One Perkins Square, Akron, OH 44308, USA.

PMID: 11824176
DOI: 10.1177/000992280104000605

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the upper limit of normal ear temperatures, defined as the 95th percentile for infants, children, and adolescents, using the arterial heat balance method for measuring ear temperatures. Ear temperatures were measured in 62 infants, 0-2 months of age; 346 children, 3-47 months; 226 children, 48-119 months; and 172 adolescents, 120-227 months using the LighTouch Pedi-Q (Exergen Corp, Watertown, MA) ear thermometer. The 95th percentiles for the four age groups were 100.1 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), 100.3 degrees F (37.9 degrees C), 99.8 degrees F (37.7 degrees C), and 99.8 degrees F (37.7 degrees C), respectively. Temperatures above 100.0 degrees F (37.8 degrees C) using the LighTouch Pedi-Q ear thermometer should be considered elevated.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Body Temperature*
Child
Child, Preschool
Ear, Middle*
Female
Fever / diagnosis
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Reference Values
Sensitivity and Specificity
Thermometers* / standards