Comparison of non-contact infrared forehead thermometer to standard temperature measurement in neonatal intensive care unit patients

Aim: In this study, we aimed to compare non-contact infrared forehead thermometer measurement with the mercury thermometer and digital thermometer measurements in the neonatal period. Material and Method: A total of 179 newborns who were admitted to our hospital were enrolled, and simultaneous temperature measurements were performed via three devices. Mesaurements were made from forehead with non-contact infrared thermometer and from axillar region with digital thermometers and conventional thermometers. Thermoflash LX-26 (France-China) thermometer was used for non-contact infrared mesasurement, MC-203-E (Omron Health Care, Europe) thermometer for digital measurement and glass mercury thermometer for conventional axillary measurement. A total of 6273 measurements were performed, being 2091 measurement for each method. Results: The mean results of the non-contact infrared forehead thermometer, mercury thermometers and digital thermometer were found as 37.2 +/- 0.5 degrees C, 36.7 +/- 0.4 degrees C, and 36.6 +/- 0.4 degrees C respectively. The Bland-Altman plots differences suggest that 95% of the non-contact infrared forhead thermometer readings were within the limits of agreement, which is -0.37 and +1.54 degrees C range of mercury thermometer and -0.40 and +1.54 degrees C range of digital thermometer respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the non-contact infrared thermometer were found as 81% and 50% respectively [ 95% CI (41.6-58.4)]. Conclusions: We conclude that the non-contact infrared thermometer can not be recommended for assessment of body temperature in newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care unit. (Turk Arch Ped 2010; 45: 257-63)