Performance of non-contact infrared thermometer for detecting febrile children in hospital and ambulatory settings

Aims. To assess the performance of the non-contact infrared thermometer compared with mercury-in-glass thermometer in children; to assess the diagnostic accuracy of non-contact infrared thermometer for detecting children with fever; to compare the discomfort caused by the two procedures in children aged > one month. Background. Non-contact infrared thermometer is a quick and non-invasive method to measure body temperature, not requiring sterilisation or disposables. It is a candidate for temperature recording in children. Design. Prospective multicenter study. Methods. Body temperature readings were taken from every child consecutively admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Departments or Pediatric Clinics participating in the study. Two bilateral axillary temperature measurements using the mercuryin-glass thermometers and three mid-forehead temperature measurements using the non-contact infrared thermometer were performed. Results. Two hundred and fifty-one children were enrolled in the study. Mean body temperature obtained by mercury-in-glass thermometer and non-contact infrared thermometer was 37AE18 (SD 0AE96) � C and 37AE30 (SD 0AE92) � C, respectively (p =0 AE153). Non-contact infrared thermometer clinical repeatability was 0AE108 (SD 0AE095) � C, similar to that of the mercury-in-glass thermometer (0AE11 SD 01 � C;p=0AE517). Bias was 0AE0150 (SD0AE09) � C. The proportion of outliers >1 � C was 4/251 children (1AE59%). A significant correlation between temperature values obtained with the two procedures was observed (r 2 =0 AE84; p 38AE0 � C, for a non-contact infrared thermometer temperature = 37AE98 � C the sensitivity was 88AE7% and the specificity 89AE9%. Mean distress score (on a 5-point scale) was significantly lower using the non-contact infrared thermometer than using the mercury-in-glass thermometer (1AE92 SD 0AE56 and 2AE40 SD0AE93, respectively; p one month in hospital or ambulatory.