Non-contact infrared thermometers for measuring temperature in children: primary care diagnostic technology update

Temperature is an important vital sign for assessing acutely unwell children, and is measured frequently in primary care.However, measuring temperature accurately can be challenging.Oral and rectal thermometers are invasive and poorly tolerated, while axillary thermometers require parents or healthcare professionals to undress the child and hold the thermometer in the axilla for 30 seconds or longer.Infrared tympanic thermometers are easier to use, but can be inaccurate due to ear wax or insufficient straightening of the ear canal.Non-contact infrared thermometers (NCITs) are designed to measure temperature rapidly and noninvasively with negligible cross-infection risk.This update compares the accuracy and utility of NCITs with conventional thermometers in children. DETAILS OF TECHNOLOGYTable 1 summarises characteristics of a range of NCITs.Based on a search conducted in December 2013, over 20 models are available for use in community and/or healthcare settings.The Thermofocus and Syner-Med VeraTemp thermometers are FDA approved and CE marked.This report found six studies comparing three NCIT devices (Standard ST 8812 1 , Thermofocus 0800 2,3 and Thermofocus 01500 [4][5][6] ) to conventional thermometers in children. PATIENT GROUP AND USENCITs may be used to measure temperature in children presenting with acute illness in primary or emergency care settings, or while being monitored at home during an illness episode.