Tympanic thermometry in Nigerian children

Rectal and aural temperatures were recorded at the same time in 378 childre n aged less than or equal to 60 months and were found to be similar across the various age groups, correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.61 to 0 .91. The mean differences between rectal and aural temperatures varied betw een -0.06 and 0.25 degreesC. Concordance between the two methods ranged fro m 88.9% to 98% across the temperature range. Tympanic thermometry is simple r, safer and quicker than rectal thermometry and these findings justify the use of aural thermometry in any busy clinical facility for children.