Abstract

Comparison of axillary, rectal and tympanic temperature measurements in children admitted with malaria

Musumba, C. O. Griffiths, K. L. Ross, A. Newton, C. R.
J Trop Pediatr. 2005; 51242-4

Permanent descriptor

https://doi.org/10.1093/tropej/fmh106

We compared axillary, rectal and tympanic temperatures in children admitted with severe malaria. The axillary temperatures were 0.74 degrees C (95% limits of agreement -0.85 to 2.33 degrees C) less than rectal temperatures and tympanic temperatures 0.42 degrees C (95% limits of agreement -0.16 to 2.44 degrees C) less than rectal temperatures. The difference was greater on admission than 24 hours later. These differences may be important in defining criteria for clinical syndromes.