Tympanic thermometers are of great value for health check ups of newborn infants

: In a study of 81 healthy, newborn infants (60 term, postnatal age 2-18 h) tympanic and axillary measurements were compared with rectal temperatures. Mean (95% confidence interval) rectal temperature was 36.9 degrees C (36.8-37.0 degrees C), min-max range: 35.9-37.8 degrees C. Mean tympanic temperature was 36.8 degrees C (36.7-36.9 degrees C) and axillary 36.5 degrees C (36.3-36.6 degrees C). Rectal temperature 37.4 degrees C (> +1SD, N = 7): tympanic sensitivity 86% (42-100%) and axillary 0% (0-41%), tympanic specificity 95% (97-99%) and axillary 99% (93-100%). Tympanic measurements give valuable information in checking for normal body temperature in newborn infants.