Abstract
Background: Measuring axillary temperature with mercury in glass thermometers is continued in clinical practice though there are many limitations. This is mainly due to convenience and cost. This study was conducted to ascertain the accuracy of measuring axillary temperature with mercury thermometers in preschool children. Methods: Axillary temperature was measured in 250 preschool children using standardized mercury thermometers. Time taken to record the final temperature and its correlates were assessed. Results: Time taken to record the final temperature extended up to six minutes. This duration varied according to age, body mass index and body temperature, but a significant variation was noted only with age. Conclusions: Measuring axillary temperature with mercury thermometers is subjected to error. They need to be replaced with suitable alternatives.
Highlights
Measuring axillary temperature with mercury in glass thermometers is continued in clinical practice though there are many limitations
Measuring axillary temperature with mercury in glass thermometers is still continued in many clinical settings
The median duration was of 3 minutes and inter quartile range (IQR) of 2 to 3.5 minutes (Table 1)
Summary
Measuring axillary temperature with mercury in glass thermometers is continued in clinical practice though there are many limitations. This is mainly due to convenience and cost. This study was conducted to ascertain the accuracy of measuring axillary temperature with mercury thermometers in preschool children. Results: Time taken to record the final temperature extended up to six minutes. Measuring axillary temperature with mercury in glass thermometers is still continued in many clinical settings. This is mainly due to convenience and low cost. (2014) Accuracy of Measuring Axillary Temperature Using Mercury in Glass Thermometers in Children under Five Years: A Cross Sectional Observational Study. In Sri Lanka, digital thermometers are used in some private hospitals, but most of the government hospitals and households use mercury in glass thermometers
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