A Bench-top Comparison of Thermometers used in Newborn Infants - EAP 2021 Virtual Congress and MasterCourse

Emma Dunne ^1,2 Katie Cunningham ^1,2 Colm O'Donnell ^1,2 Lisa McCarthy ^1,2

¹Department of Neonatology, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
²School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Objective: Hypothermia in preterm infants is an independant risk factor for mortality. We wished to determine the accuracy of thermometers used to measure temperature in newborn infants.

Method: We measured the temperature of a waterbath [Lauda Aqualine AL5] with 3 types of thermometer [Microlife MT-1931 (MT), Welch Allyn SureTemp Plus 692 (WA), Phillips Intellivue 9Fr rectal probe (PHIL)] at 0.5oC increments between 32.5 – 38.5oC. Values measured were compared to a control [Brannon, LO-Tox liquid filled thermometer]. We recorded the time to display steady state temperature.

Results: MT most closely approximated the control temperature [mean (SD) difference Conclusion: Thermometers that are commonly used to measure temperature in newborn infants may underestimate hypothermia. A prospective study in newborn infants is needed.