Three Different Types of Thermometers in Measuring Temperature in Young Patients With Fever and Without Fever

Three Different Types of Thermometers in Measuring Temperature in Young Patients With Fever and Without Fever

RATIONALE: Comparing results of three different thermometers used to measure body temperature may help doctors find the most accurate thermometer to detect fever and plan the best treatment. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying three different types of thermometers to measure temperature in young patients with fever and without fever.

OBJECTIVES: Primary Determine agreement between three different types of temperature-measuring instruments: the temporal artery scanner, the digital oral thermometer, and the infrared tympanic thermometer calibrated to an oral setting, in pediatric patients who are febrile and afebrile. Secondary Determine similarities or differences in the percent of fevers detected with oral, ear, and temporal artery monitoring in these pediatric patients. Determine differences in agreement of the various temperature devices in non-neutropenic pediatric patients versus neutropenic pediatric patients. OUTLINE: This is a prospective study. During an afebrile episode, the patient's temperature is measured twice using the following 3 devices: a temporal artery scanner, a digital oral thermometer, and an infrared tympanic thermometer calibrated to an oral setting (total of 6 temperature measurements per afebrile episode). During a febrile episode, the patient's temperature is measured twice using all 3 devices as above, and then at 2 and 4 hours after administration of an antipyretic medication (total of 18 temperatures per febrile episode). Patients' temperatures are recorded for a maximum of 3 afebrile or febrile episodes. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 32 patients will be accrued for this study.

Agreement between the temporal artery scanner, digital oral thermometer, and infrared tympanic thermometer calibrated to an oral setting in pediatric patients who are febrile and afebrile

Similarities or differences in the percent of fevers detected with oral, ear, and temporal artery monitoring

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Febrile or afebrile Patient at the Mark O. Harfield Clinical Research Center Previously enrolled in an IRB-approved Clinical Center protocol PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Able to hold an oral thermometer in mouth No acute life-threatening infection No ear, nose, or throat (aural) abnormalities No severe mucositis PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent enrollment on a behavioral research study