Axillary temperature in relation to oral temperature in a group of children in Sri Lanka.

The relationship between the oral temperature (OT) and the axillary temperature (AT) is not clearly established. The measurement of the OT could be an unhygienic procedure. Therefore, a study was done to determine the nature of relationship between OT and AT and whether AT could be used in place of OT. The OT and AT were measured in a group of children with OT's ranging from 97 degrees F (36 degrees C) to 105 degrees F (40.5 degrees C). The average difference of OT minus AT was statistically determined to be 0.3 degrees F (0.15 degrees C) throughout the range of temperatures tested. The correlation (r) between OT and AT was 0.99 (p less than 0.001). The AT is recommended as a reliable measure to be used in routine assessment of body temperature.