Core temperature measurement methods and their accuracy in pediatric intensive care units: a narrative review

Background Accurate core temperature monitoring in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) is crucial for assessing health status, guiding therapies, and predicting outcomes. Objective To review core temperature measurement methods and their accuracy in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), with emphasis on emerging non-invasive technologies. Content We compare commonly used peripheral, non-invasive, and invasive techniques (including temporal artery, tympanic, zero-heat-flux thermometry, infrared thermography, and esophageal/rectal/bladder/nasopharyngeal sites) and summarize factors that affect agreement with core temperature under critical illness. Conclusion Accurate temperature assessment supports timely diagnosis and therapy guidance. Evidence to date suggests that zero-heat-flux thermometry and infrared thermography are promising for continuous, non-invasive monitoring, but require further validation across pediatric ages and clinical scenarios.