Neonatal infrared axillary thermometry

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.