Axillary thermometer (armpit)
For: children over 2 years old
Beware! While axillary temperature is easy to measure (compared with oral or rectal measurements), it has been found to be an inaccurate estimate of core temperature in children. This type of measurement relies on the thermometer remaining directly in place over the axillary artery, and it is largely influenced by environmental conditions. Despite its low sensitivity and specificity in detecting fever, axillary temperature is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a screening test for fever in neonates because of the risk of rectal perforation with a rectal thermometer.
How to take an axillary temperature?
- Make sure that the child’s armpit is dry.
- Put the tip of the thermometer under the child’s armpit.
- Keep the thermometer in place by pressing the armpit against the body (by holding the child’s elbow against his chest).
- Be careful not to let air pass under the child’s arm (so that it doesn’t influence the temperature).
- When the thermometer beeps, remove the device gently.
Normal temperature range with this method
From 34.7 °C to 37.3 °C (94.5 °F to 99.1 °F)
Source : Canadian Paediatric Society
Oral thermometer
For : For children older than 5 years, this is the best technique and should become the definitive method from now on.
Beware! When taking your child’s temperature orally, you must first inform him that he will have to keep his mouth completely closed during 3-4 minutes, with his tongue pushed down on the thermometer. It’s no easy task. Consider having him watch television, or read him a book, while he has the thermometer in his mouth to keep his attention and prevent him from getting impatient. Stay with him and distract him without asking questions that would require him to answer you!
The better a child follows directions, the more reliable the reading will be. “However, oral temperature is easily influenced by the recent ingestion of food or drink and mouth breathing. Its accuracy lies somewhere between that of axillary and rectal thermometry”, explains the Canadian Paediatric Society.
How to take an oral temperature?
- Don’t take the child’s temperature if he has eaten either very hot (soup, broth, etc.) or cold (ice cream, yogurt, etc.) foods in the previous 30 minutes.
- Place the tip of the thermometer under the tongue and ask your child to close his lips around it. Remind your child not to bite down or talk, and to relax and breathe normally through the nose.
- When the thermometer beeps, remove the device gently (with a glass thermometer, leave it in the mouth for 3-4 minutes).
Normal temperature range with this method
From 35.5 °C to 37.5 °C (95.9 °F to 99.5 °F)
Source : Canadian Paediatric Society
