Abstract
Background. Acute otitis media [AOM] may affect the accuracy of tympanic temperature measurements. We aimed to compare tympanic temperature measurements in patients with AOM against control groups, as well as compare the tympanic temperatures with axillary thermometry. Methods. This is a prospective, observational study. Patients from pediatric outpatient and emergency clinics who were diagnosed as single-sided AOM were included consecutively in the study. Normal ears of patients and children having the same age and gender who were not diagnosed as AOM were also studied as controls. Results. In patients with AOM, infected ears had higher temperatures than normal ears with a mean of 0.48 ± 0.01°C. There was no significant difference between the right and left tympanic temperatures in control group. Compared with axillary temperature, the sensitivity of tympanic temperature in the infected ear was 91.7% and the specificity was 74.8%. Conclusion. Comparisons of axillary and tympanic temperatures in children with AOM during the active infection concluded higher tympanic temperatures in infected ears. We suggest that the higher tympanic temperatures, approximately 0.5°C in our study, in infected ears may aid in diagnosis of patients with fever without a source in pediatric clinics.
Highlights
Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common upper respiratory tract infection in children; 90% of children have at least one attack until two years of age [1]
We aimed to compare tympanic temperature measurements in patients diagnosed as unilateral AOM with their normal ears and the control group and to compare the tympanic temperatures with axillary thermometry
We included two control groups: (a) normal ears of patients and (b) children having the same age and gender with AOM patients, with any diagnosis other than upper respiratory tract infections, who were not diagnosed as AOM, and who had infections such as urinary tract infections and acute gastroenteritis, either with fever or not
Summary
Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common upper respiratory tract infection in children; 90% of children have at least one attack until two years of age [1]. Tympanic membrane temperature measurement is an easy-to-use, quick, widely acceptable, comfortable, and hygienic method [6]. These advantages made it a first-line application with noncooperative pediatric patients and in pediatric emergency departments. We aimed to compare tympanic temperature measurements in patients with AOM against control groups, as well as compare the tympanic temperatures with axillary thermometry. Normal ears of patients and children having the same age and gender who were not diagnosed as AOM were studied as controls. We suggest that the higher tympanic temperatures, approximately 0.5∘C in our study, in infected ears may aid in diagnosis of patients with fever without a source in pediatric clinics
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
