Docs recommend new thermometer for babies by Michael Lasalandra

Thursday, March 15, 2001

Doctors are recommending parents use a new type of thermometer that involves a swipe on the forehead for babies over 3 months of age, but say taking the temperature rectally is better for younger infants. A study by doctors at Children's Hospital found the new temporal artery thermometer was not as accurate as a rectal thermometer in detecting fevers, but was much more easily tolerated by babies over age 3 months. And the study found the new thermometer was much more accurate than an ear thermometer. The study, published in the March issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, was funded by Exergen Corp., which makes the forehead thermometer that was studied. The device, about the size of a cell phone, measures body temperature at the temporal artery when swiped across the forehead. Dr. Gary R. Fleisher, a co-author, said that while the new thermometer is probably better for infants over 3 months, he still prefers parents use a rectal thermometer for those under that age. He said rectal thermometers don't seem to bother the youngest infants and are more accurate at a time when any fever can be critical.