Abstract
Gradual replacement of the mercury thermometers with alternative devices is ongoing around the world in a bid to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. However, to reduce the risks of misdiagnosis, unnecessary treatments, and omission of care in pediatric populations, more evidence on the reliability of alternative thermometers is needed. The aim of this comparative observational study was to detect any differences in temperature measurements between the use of the axillary mercury thermometer and the alternative techniques. Temperature values in degree Celsius (°C) were measured in a group of Albanian children aged up to 14 years using mercury and digital axillary thermometers, as well as forehead and tympanic infrared thermometers. The digital axillary device, compared with the mercury one, showed no clinically significant difference in the mean values (− 0.04 ± 0.29 °C) and the narrowest 95% level of agreement (+ 0.53 °C to − 0.62 °C) in the paired comparisons. For cut-off point of 37.5 °C, the digital axillary thermometer showed the highest levels of sensitivity (72.5%) and specificity (99.1%) in detecting fever. This study indicates that the digital axillary thermometer may be the better option since it adequately balances accuracy, safety, and children’s comfort.
Highlights
Gradual replacement of the mercury thermometers with alternative devices is ongoing around the world in a bid to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury
A comparative observational study was conducted from September 2018 to January 2019 in a fifty-bed pediatric ward of a general hospital in Albania, where about one thousand patients are admitted annually for a broad spectrum of medical health issues ranging from respiratory diseases to infectious diseases such as enteritis
This study aimed at detecting any differences in body temperature measurements between the use of the axillary mercury thermometer, and the use of the new digital and infrared thermometers in a pediatric hospital setting in Albania, where mercury thermometers were still allowed despite the Minamata Convention, due to a transition phase[10]
Summary
Gradual replacement of the mercury thermometers with alternative devices is ongoing around the world in a bid to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. To reduce the risks of misdiagnosis, unnecessary treatments, and omission of care in pediatric populations, more evidence on the reliability of alternative thermometers is needed The aim of this comparative observational study was to detect any differences in temperature measurements between the use of the axillary mercury thermometer and the alternative techniques. Since body temperature values, when associated with clinical assessment, contribute to orient diagnoses and therapies for children, unreliable measurements may lead to misdiagnosis, omission or delay of necessary treatments, and prescription of unnecessary therapies or e xams[2,3]. For these reasons, body temperature measurement should be carried out with valid and reliable d evices[4]. Rectal mercury thermometers were accepted as the gold-standard devices for body temperature measurement in daily clinical practice, but since they cause problems of discomfort and acceptability, the mercury axillaries devices have been used routinely everywhere around the world[5,8,9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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
