The authors compared axillary skin temperatures (AT) measured with an infra
red (IR) thermometer (Lightouch Neonate, Exergen Corp) with rectal temperat
ures (RT) in 16 newly born term infants under radiant warmers (RW) and in c
ribs. Twelve stable, growing premature infants in incubators were also stud
ied. This new device may be useful because of safety and rapid results (1 s
econd), but clinical accuracy is unknown. For term infants, mean (SD) RT-AT
difference was 0.1 (0.48)degrees C under RW and 0.25 (0.17)degrees C 2 hou
rs later in cribs, For premature infants in incubators the mean RT-AT diffe
rence was 0.09 (0.16)degrees C. Axillary temperatures measured by IR thermo
meter approximate RT for newly born term infants in cribs and stable premat
ure infants in incubators, For newly born term infants under RW, RT-AT diff
erences vary more widely, limiting clinical usefulness ia this setting. The
device, the unique age of this population, and the RW environment may play
a role.