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has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Optimization of the Recommended Time for Rectal Temperature Measurement in Children: An Observational Study

  AUTHORS: Qian Zhao, Yanwei Li, Leshan Zhou

  KEYWORDS: Fever, Mercury Thermometer, Pediatrics, Rectal Temperature

  JOURNAL NAME: Open Journal of Pediatrics, Vol.9 No.2, May 29, 2019

  ABSTRACT: Background: This study aimed to determine the optimum time required to measure rectal temperature in children with mercury-in-glass thermometers. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study involved a random sample of pediatric patients ≤5 years of age. Body temperature was measured for 3 - 5 minutes using standard mercury-in-glass rectal thermometers. Outcomes were rectal body temperatures at 1, 2, and 3 minutes until reaching a stable rectal temperature, and the final rectal temperature. Results: This study recruited 120 children. Mean time to reach a stable rectal temperature was 1.8 minutes (range: 30 seconds to five minutes). 90% of pediatric patients’ temperature came out within ±0.1°C of the final temperature at two minutes. There was no correlation between the time taken to reach a stable rectal temperature and age, body weight, gender, or the final temperature. Conclusion: Mercury-in-glass thermometers can be used to obtain accurate rectal temperature measurements at two minutes in routine pediatric practice.