We wished to determine the accuracy of thermometers used to measure temperature in newborn infants. We measured the temperature of a water bath with three types of thermometer set at 0.5°C increments between 32.5°C and 38.5°C and compared the values to a control. We recorded the time to display steady-state temperature. The Microlife thermometer most closely approximated control temperature (mean difference <0.1°C (SD<0.1°C)) and displayed a reading in a mean time of 29 s (SD 2 s). Used in ‘predictive’ (default) mode, the Welch Allyn SureTemp Plus 692 thermometer differed from the control by a mean of 0.6°C (SD 0.3°C), displaying a temperature at 15 s (SD 3 s). This device consistently overestimated temperature. In ‘continuous’ mode, the mean difference was <0.1°C (SD<0.1°C) at 5 min. The Phillips probe differed from the control by a mean of 0.4°C (SD 0.2°C). Thermometers used to measure temperature in newborn infants may underestimate hypothermia. A prospective study in newborn infants is needed. Data are available upon reasonable request.

中文翻译：

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新生儿体温计的台式比较

我们希望确定用于测量新生儿体温的温度计的准确性。我们使用三种类型的温度计测量水浴的温度，在 32.5°C 和 38.5°C 之间以 0.5°C 为增量，并将这些值与对照值进行比较。我们记录了显示稳态温度的时间。Microlife 温度计最接近控制温度（平均差 <0.1 °C (SD <0.1 °C)）并在平均 29 秒 (SD 2 秒) 内显示读数。在“预测”（默认）模式下使用时，Welch Allyn SureTemp Plus 692 温度计与对照温度计的平均差异为 0.6 °C (SD 0.3 °C)，显示 15 秒 (SD 3 秒) 时的温度。该设备始终高估温度。在“连续”模式下，5 分钟时的平均差异为 <0.1 °C (SD <0.1 °C)。菲利普斯探针与对照的平均差异为 0.4°C (SD 0.2°C)。用于测量新生儿体温的温度计可能会低估体温过低。需要对新生儿进行前瞻性研究。可应合理要求提供数据。