COMPARISON OF STANDARD MERCURY THERMOMETER AND THE LIQUID-CRYSTAL DEVICE SKIN CONTACT THERMOMETER IN FEBRILE CHILDREN AT ELDORET-DISTRICT-HOSPITAL

The purpose of this study was to compare the temperature readings obta ined from febrile children using the conventional glass mercury thermo meter and the liquid crystal device skin contact thermometer. 56 child ren with fever were studied irrespective of the cause. In 30 children, the mercury thermometer recorded higher readings than the LCD skin co ntact thermometer by an average of 0.67-degrees-C while in 12 children the LCD thermometer recorded higher readings than the mercury thermom eter by an average of 0.34-degrees-C. There was no temperature reading difference in 14 children between the two methods. It is concluded th at LCD thermometer is a useful, cost effective, safe and durable alter native to mercury thermometers especially in developing countries.