Comparing the accuracy of skin sensor temperature at two placement sites to axillary temperature in term infants under radiant warmers

BackgroundThe skin temperatures of the infants under radiant warmers can be monitored by a sensor probe attached on the abdomen, flanks, chest or back region.PurposeTo compare the accuracy of temperature measurement with sensor probe placed at right hypochondrium of abdomen or middle of the chest to axillary temperature measurement with digital thermometer in term infants under radiant warmers.MethodA total of 148 term infants with less than 2 weeks of age under radiant warmers were enrolled. One group of 73 infants was allocated to sensor probe placed at right hypochondrium of abdomen and another group of 75 infants was allocated to sensor probe placed at chest. The skin temperatures for both groups were measured on admission and subsequently at 15 min and 30 min times. The axillary temperatures for both groups were also measured concurrently using digital thermometer at the same interval. A total of 880 measurements were recorded.ResultsThe findings from Bland–Altman tests indicate that the temperature measured with sensor probe at right hypochondrium of abdomen was more closely in agreement to digital axillary temperature in comparison to temperature measured with sensor probe placed at chest.ConclusionTemperature measured with sensor probe placed at right hypochondrium of abdomen appears to be more accurate and reliable than temperature measured with sensor probe placed at chest.