A new device for measuring intrauterine temperature

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated a new device that uses the intrauterine pressure ca theter to measure the maternal temperature in patients who are in labor. STUDY DESIGN: The study was conducted at two medical centers, Christiana Ho spital in Newark, Delaware, and Saint Louis University/St Mary's Health Cen ter in St Louis, Missouri, from September 1, 1997, to May 2, 1998. An intra uterine pressure catheter with a thermistor sensor in the tip was placed in to the uterus after spontaneous rupture of membranes. The intrauterine, ora l, and tympanic temperatures were simultaneously obtained immediately after insertion of the intrauterine pressure catheter and then hourly until deli very or the initiation of amnioinfusion. RESULTS: The study comprised 97 patients and 404 temperature readings with a temperature range of 34.7 degreesC to 40.7 degreesC. The normal mean +/- SD for the oral, tympanic, and intrauterine temperatures was 36.7 degreesC +/- 0.5 degreesC, 36.8 degreesC +/- 0.5 degreesC, and 37.3 degreesC +/- 0.4 degreesC, respectively. There was a linear relationship among the oral, ty mpanic, and intrauterine temperatures. All three methods showed a significa nt increase in mean body temperature after epidural anesthesia. CONCLUSION: The new device, the intrauterine pressure-temperature catheter, provides a convenient and accurate means of continuously measuring uterine temperature in patients who are in labor and require intrauterine monitori ng.