Taking A Child's Temperature The Right Way

Posting Date: 05/28/2002

Original Posting: 5/23/2000

INTRODUCTION

Thermometers. They've grown a lot more kid friendly over the years. They're in stickers, pacifiers, you name it. But are they as accurate as the old fashioned mercury ones?

DEAN EDELL, M.D.

"It's not Kyle's idea of a good time. And it's not exactly fun for his parents."

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PETER SAYERS/PARENT

"He's usually a little more active these days, he wiggles around and it's a struggle, particularly now."

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DEAN EDELL, M.D.

"Taking a baby's temperature is never easy, but even selecting the right thermometer can be confusing."

DAVID TEJEDA, M.D./PEDIATRICIAN

"The gold standard, especially in young babies, is a rectal temperature, but because that is uncomfortable and inconvenient, people are looking for easier ways to accomplish the same things."

DEAN EDELL, M.D.

"And there are lots of options out there: pacifer thermometers, digital thermometers, and underarm thermometers that are actually stickers."

DAVID TEJEDA, M.D./PEDIATRICIAN

"The caveat or the thing to remember is that they're not quite as accurate and you have to do some manipulations to the results."

DEAN EDELL, M.D.

"Depending on the type of thermometer, and where you take your baby's temperature, the reading can vary a half to a full degree. But once a child is older than three months, knowing the exact temperature isn't as critical. And these easier options can be a good way to determine if your baby has a fever."

DAVID TEJEDA, M.D./PEDIATRICIAN

"Then if it becomes very important to determine the temperature very accurately, then in the physician's office we can usually do a rectal temperature there."

PETER SAYERS/PARENT

"The digital thermometers are very good, you just hold it down and wait for the beep, so you get a pretty reliable reading when it gets stabilized. Takes a bit longer than you'd like, but it works."

DEAN EDELL, M.D.

"And it's still quicker than other options -- leaving more time for the fun stuff."

END NOTE

You should tell your child's pediatrician what type of thermometer you used to take their temperature. It will help them make a better diagnosis. And remember that normal temperature varies from person to person, by age, and throughout the day.