Sposoby oceny przez rodziców ciepłoty ciała dzieci

Abstract

IntroductionThere are various methods of measuring the temperature, various types of thermometers and places where the temperature can be measured. Currently electronic thermometers are the most widely used, mercury thermometers gradually becoming obsolete. A common point of measurement is the armpit, but in pediatric practice the measurement in the external auditory canal is considered to be the golden standard. Many people also assess temperature by touch, regardless of whether they have a home thermometer or not.The aim of the study was to analyze parental ways to measure body temperature, taking into account the thermometer measurements and approximate measurement. Materials and methodsThe survey was conducted on 206 people (194 mothers, 11 fathers, and 1 grandmother). The mean age of children was 24.2 months (min 2 weeks, max. 17 years, SD 37.7). The questionnaire included questions open and closed, single- and multiple-choice, and were concerning the assessment of the child's body temperature when fever was suspected. They were asked for a measurement method and the interpretation of the other symptoms of the child's fever. The results were statistically analyzed using Statistica version 6.0. ResultsThe parents most often measure the temperature only using the electronic thermometer – 143 people (often in urban areas); 42 people measured fever using the mercury thermometer (more often in older children as well as in rural areas); in some cases – with several types of thermometers. Frequently temperature is measured in the armpit (in this way 90/186 people measure the temperature; more often in older children), less frequently – on the forehead (46/186 people, often younger children), rectum (40/186 people; often younger children), in the ear (31/186 people), and occasionally in other places. 115/125 people also measure children's temperature in an “orientation” way, by hand, usually on the head/forehead. For parents, other methods of assessing a child's fever are: the evaluation of the child's behavior, the change of the face expression, eyes, mouth, and a change in breathing. ConclusionsIn our study all parents use thermometers. The most commonly used are electronic thermometers, rarely – mercury thermometers. Frequently temperature is measured in the children's armpit, alternatively on the forehead, in the rectum, and the outer ear. A large number of parents additionally assess the child's body temperature by touch, and sometimes parents pay attention to other symptoms of fever.