how accurate...?

TayTay

Is taking a baby's temp under the arm? Is it true u should add one degree to it?


Maybe @mom2ing or @captivated can help me with this?

captivated

Nope. Not true. You won't add anything. Also, axilarry temps are just not very accurate. Best for a baby is an ear, even those aren't terribly accurate. Rectal is the best but they are not recommended much anymore except in infants. I still do rectal though!

They change this all around so much.

MyLove2

Bump..

captivated

@mom2ing, yep they used to do that but recently changed it. I'll post a link for you!

captivated

"The true temperature in a child is one taken rectally. A well done oral temperature should be the same as a rectal one; however, as any parent knows, getting a good oral temperature in younger children is challenging at best. The axillary temperature is the least accurate, and while adding one degree to an axillary temperature is typically what is suggested, it is by no means an accurate conversion. Another way to look at it is an axillary temperature is a nice screen to confirm that a fever exists, but the true temperature can only be ascertained by taking the temperature rectally or orally.
But you know, all the hoopla over the addition and subtraction of degrees between axillary, oral, and rectal temperatures has caused most people (parents and doctors alike) to lose perspective on what significance fever has on an illness. Fever is a good thing when it is present and not causing the child to feel miserable. The body develops a fever as a defense mechanism against infection by viruses and bacteria. Therefore, when a child has a fever, he likely has an infection of some type. But fever should not be viewed with alarm. It helps fight this infection and alerts us for other symptoms. So, if the temperature taken axillary reads 101F, does it matter if it is truly 102F or 102.8F? Not really. In either case, the fever should be treated only if the child isn't feeling good because of it.


So, whether you add 1 degree or 1.8 degrees to an underarm temperature, it still remains an inaccurate reading. The precision of the temperature reading is not necessarily as important as how the child is doing while he has the elevated temperature. But, if you are truly concerned about the exact temperature, taking a rectal temperature is the only way to go."

captivated

"You do not need to add or subtract a degree from the
thermometer reading to compensate for how you took your
child’s temperature, regardless of the thermometer’s instruction"

http://www.stclairpediatrics.com/Handouts/Fever in Children.pdf

TayTay

@mom2ing n @captivated thank u both