ABSTRACT
Temperature is an important vital sign especially in neonates. Providing thermal comfort to baby is part of essential newborn care. The ideal temperature measurement method should be accurate, safe, noninvasive, time efficient, easy to operate and non-disturbing to baby. Mercury thermometers have been banned; rectal measurements are hazardous. Digital axillary thermometers although widely accepted, also have their limitations and sometimes produce questionable results in newborn. Infrared forehead thermometry is a promising tool with controversial results; hence this newer technology needs to be repeatedly tested and validated.METHODSThis is a prospective comparative study conducted in a tertiary care hospital situated in the hilly areas of Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. We simultaneously recorded three temperatures at three sites by different methods and different thermometers Forehead skin temperature was recorded in apparently normal newborns by INNOVA infrared thermometer and axillary temperature was recorded by digital thermometer and rectal temperature was recorded by mercury in glass thermometer.RESULTS260 newborns were included in the study. Data was analysed for correlation by Pearson r coefficient and for agreement by Bland-Altman method. A strong correlation was found between infrared forehead temperature and digital axillary temperature with a Pearson r of 0.826 and 0.801 between infrared forehead temperature and rectal mercury thermometer. Bland-Altman analysis of difference produced a mean difference of 0.49 and level of agreement of -1.67 and +2.65 when axillary digital and infrared forehead thermometry measurements were compared. Mean difference of 0.15 with level of agreement as -2.09 and +2.40 were obtained when rectal mercury and infrared forehead temperatures were compared.CONCLUSIONSAlthough a strong correlation of infrared skin thermometry was found with both axillary digital and rectal mercury temperature measurements. The level of agreement has a wide variation which is not clinically acceptable hence infrared forehead skin thermometry is not recommended for use in newborns.
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the differences of temperature results between mercury thermometer and infrared thermometer. Methods The temperature of three parts was recorded respectively by mercury thermometer in axilla and infrared thermometer in forehead and earlobe on the same patient, totally 98 patients were recorded in ICU. Results There was statistical difference of three parts' temperature in 98 cases. It could be assumed that axilla temperature ＞ earlobe temperature ＞ forehead temperature;There was no statistical difference of three parts' temperature in 17 cases with temperature 38.0～38.9 ℃ by mercury thermometer, but the difference had clinical significance. It could be assumed that axilla temperature ＞ earlobe temperature ＞ forehead temperature; There was statistical difference of three parts' temperature in 30 cases with temperature at 37.0～37.9 ℃ by mercury thermometer. It could be assumed that axilla temperature ＞ earlobe temperature ＞ forehead temperature. There was no statistical difference of three parts'temperature in 51 cases with temperature at 35.0～36.9 ℃ by mercury thermometer. Conclusions Temperature of the patients with normal axilla temperature could be monitored by infrared thermometer instead of mercury thermometer,but it is not applicable to the patients with fever.
ABSTRACT
[Purpose] We studied the pathophysiology of hot flush and cold feet.[Methods] By using an infrared thermometer, we measured the surface temperature of 98 female patients. We classified the patients into 4 groups : Group A patients without hot flushes or cold feet ; Group B patients with hot flushes but without cold feet ; Group C, patients without hot flushes but with cold feet ; and Group D patients with both hot flushes and cold feet. We measured the surface temperature of their tongues, upper abdomen, lower abdomen, and soles.[Results] The tongue temperature in Group B was significantly higher than that in Group A. The difference in the temperatures between the tongue and upper abdomen in Group B was also significantly greater than that in group A. Groups C and D, on the other hand, showed similar surface temperatures. Then, we examined the relationship between tongue temperatures, and the difference in the temperatures between the tongue and sole (Diff T-S) by using a correlation coefficient test : a significant correlation (r=0.77) was observed in Group C but not in Group D. Next, the patients in Group D were divided into 3 subgroups on the basis of their Diff T-S ; we found that these subgroups were characterized by the constitutionally ordinary symptoms (COS) of “yin and yang” and “deficiency and excess.”[Discussion] The occurrence of hot flush with cold feet was shown to depend on the slope of the body temperature, which was influenced by COS.[Conclusion] The occurrence of hot flush is associated with COS.
Subject(s)
TongueABSTRACT
Purpose : Cold sensation of the limbs is a common complaint for which patients seek treatment with Kampo medicine. However, some patients complain of coldness of the limbs despite maintaining normal skin temperature. We studied this condition and its association with ki (energy), ketsu (blood), and sui (body fluids) by measuring surface body temperatures.Methods : Using an infrared thermometer, we measured the surface body temperature of 98 female patients during their first examinations at our clinic. We classified the patients according to the season of their examination and the presence of the abnormalities of ki, ketsu, and sui ; subsequently, we statistically analyzed these findings.Results : No statistical difference was observed in the surface body temperature of the patients with complaints of coldness (Pw/C), and those without such complaints (Pw/oC). However, under particular conditions, the surface body temperature of Pw/C was observed to be higher than that of Pw/oC. In the presence of “ki deficiency” and “sui accumulation,” the surface body temperatures were lower than in the absence of the ki and sui abnormalities, respectively. In contrast, the surface body temperature was higher in patients with the “oketsu (blood stasis) syndrome” than in those without the “oketsu syndrome”.Discussion : Although the dissociation between the subjective cold sensation and actual skin temperature is present only in limited conditions, the presence of this dissociation indicates that factors other than the surface body temperature such as the abnormalities of ki, ketsu, and sui may also determine cold sensation.Conclusion : It is important to treat Pw/C by taking into account their state of coldness and the abnormalities of ki, ketsu, and sui. Measuring surface body temperature using an infrared thermometer appears to be an effective method for analyzing cold sensation of the limbs.