چكيده لاتين :
A new method recently used for measuring the temperature is
using tympanic thermometer. The aim of this study was to
compare the accuracy of this method with rectal and axillary
measurement in children less than 6 years old. A total of 220
pair ears, axillaries , and rectal sites were used to determine the
body temperature in patients aged between 3 months to 6
years who referred to Emergency Department of Fateme Zahra
Hospital affiliated to Bushehr University of Medical Sciences.
Rectal temperature (RT) was considered as gold standard . Fever
was defined as RT> =38°C, axi lIary temperature (AT) > =
37.2°C and tympanic temperature (TT) > = 38°C. Correlation
between rectal and tympanic temperature was statistically significant.
The mean difference between RT and TT was a.3°e
and between RT and AT was 0.1°C. When cutoff point was
considered 38°C for TT, the sensitivity was 46%, specificity
was 97% and positive predictive value (PPY) and negative
predictive value (NPY) were 92% and 72% respectively.
ROC curve showed the best cutoff point for IT as 37°C,
which increased the sensitivity to 92% and PPY to 0.98 but decreased
the specificity to 90% and NPY to 0.57. Kappa test
showed a good agreement rate between RT and TT. Age had
significant effects on the TTfRT relationship . If the cut off point
for TT is set at 38°C the sensitivity and NPY will be unacceptably
low and a number of children with fever may be missed by
screening with a tympanic thermometer. If the cutoff point is
37°C, the sensitivity and NPY will improve and IT can be used
as a safe, easy, rapid, and accurate method in pediatrics.
