Are temporal artery temperatures accurate enough to replace rectal temperature measurement in pediatric ED patients?

Objective: This study examined the accuracy of temporal artery and axillary temperatures compared with rectal temperatures in pediatric ED patients younger than 4 years.

Methods: A method-comparison study design was used to examine the agreement between a temporal artery or axillary thermometer and a nondisposable, rectal electronic thermometer, which is the clinical reference standard for temperature measurement in children. Temperatures were taken with each device in a convenience sample of stable, pediatric ED patients who were younger than 4 years.