Measurement of Right and Left Ear Temperature by Tympanic Method, during and after Cessation of Fever and Comparison with Rectal Temperature in Children

Measuring body temperature is one of the most important and oldest diagnostic methods in the diseases. According to several studies in domestic and foreign databases, there are different results about tympanic temperature of the right and left ears. Therefore, the present study was designed to measure the temperature of the right and left ears by tympanic method, during and after fever, and compare it with rectal temperature in children with fever.

The present cross-sectional study was performed on 140 children aged 3 months to 5 years admitted to the pediatric ward of Allameh Behlool hospital in Gonabadi City, Iran, who were eligible for inclusion in the study. Samples were selected using convenience sampling method. Data collection tools were demographic questionnaire, temperature registration form, tympanic thermometer and rectal thermometer. Participant's temperature was measured consecutively with tympanic thermometer from both right and left ears, and compared with the temperature taken with a rectal mercury thermometer.

There was a difference between the temperature of the right ear and the left ear with each other and also with the rectal temperature. The temperature of the left ear was lower than the right ear and was closer to rectal temperature.

According to the results of the present study, the temperature of the left ear is closer to the rectal temperature; measuring of the left tympanic temperature is recommended for children.