Comparison of temple temperatures with rectal temperatures in children under two years of age

We assessed the agreement between rectal and noninvasive temporal artery temperature measurements in infants and children. We also evaluated the temple thermometer as a screening tool for rectal fever in this age group. Finally, we compared the performance of parents with that of nurses in using the temple thermometer. The 95% limits of agreement between the difference in rectal and average temple temperature were -1.03 and +1.52°C. Mean temple temperatures obtained by parents and by nurses were similar (95% limits of agreement, -0.6°C to +0.7°C). A maximum temple temperature cutoff of 37.2°C (99.0°F) distinguished children with rectal fever of ≥38.0°C with 91% sensitivity and 53% specificity. A cutoff of 37.8°C (100.0°F) distinguished moderate rectal fevers (≥38.5°C) with 97% sensitivity and 84% specificity. A cutoff of 38.3°C (101.0°F) distinguished a high rectal fever (≥39.0°C) with a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 95%. In conclusion, temple temperatures do not reliably predict rectal temperatures, but the temple thermometer can be used as an effective screen for clinically important rectal fever in children 3-24 months old. The findings do not support use of temple temperatures to screen young infants for rectal fever ≥38.0°C. Temperatures obtained by parents were comparable to those obtained by nurses.