Comparison of Temperature Readings, Infrared, Non-Contact Thermometer with Contact Digital Thermometer Readings in Children.

BACKGROUND: Body temperature is an important vital sign in clinical practice which can be measured via electronic contact thermometers and infrared non-contact thermometers. OBJECTIVE: To compare temperature readings taken by non contact infrared thermometer with the conventional digital axillary, rectal and oral temperature readings as well as the influence of environmental temperature on noncontact infrared thermometer readings. METHODOLOGY: A prospective study carried out in the Paediatric outpatient clinic of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from September 2020 to December 2020. Infrared noncontact forehead and jugular temperatures along with contact axillary, oral and rectal temperatures at a recorded atmospheric temperature and pressure were measured. Data collected was analysed. RESULTS: A total of 247 children aged 1month to 16 years were enrolled, the mean differences of the temperature pairs of contact and non-contact thermometry ranged from 0.45 - 0.77°C (1.64, -1.81°C) 95% LoA. The highest mean difference was found between infrared forehead and axillary [MD; 0.45(1.64,-0.73°C) 95%LoA] temperatures. There was a significant positive correlation between the mean difference of infrared forehead/ rectal temperature and atmospheric temperature (r = 0 .211 p = 0.029). Linear regression model showed that infrared forehead temperature of 37.1°C was equivalent to rectal temperature of 38°C and axillary of 37.4°C which is the standard cut off for fever. Infrared jugular of 37.2°C was equivalent to rectal of 38°C and axillary temperature of 37.4°C was equivalent to infrared jugular of 37.03°C all at a mean atmospheric temperature of 28.3±1.8°C. CONCLUSION: The mean difference by which infrared noncontact thermometry predicts core temperatures may differ based on atmospheric temperature. Infrared non-contact forehead thermometer reading of 37.1°C could be considered as the fever cut off for non-contact forehead thermometry in Nigeria in regions where the mean atmospheric temperature is 28.3±1.8°C.

CONTEXTE: La température corporelle est un signe vital important dans la pratique clinique qui peut être mesurée à l'aide de thermomètres électroniques à contact et de thermomètres infrarouges sans contact. OBJECTIF: Comparer les lectures de température prises par un thermomètre infrarouge sans contact avec les lectures de température axillaire, rectale et buccale numériques conventionnelles, ainsi que l'influence de la température ambiante sur les lectures de thermomètre infrarouge sans contact. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Une étude prospective réalisée dans la clinique pédiatrique ambulatoire du Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, au Nigéria, de septembre 2020 à décembre 2020. Températures infrarouges sans contact du front et de la jugulaire ainsi que des températures axillaire, orale et rectale de contact à une température et une pression atmosphériques enregistrées ont été mesurés. Les données recueillies ont été analysées. RÉSULTATS: Un total de 247 enfants âgés de 1 mois à 16 ans ont été inclus, les différences moyennes des paires de températures de la thermométrie avec contact et sans contact variaient de 0,45 à 0,77°C (1,64, -1,81°C) 95 % LoA. La différence moyenne la plus élevée a été trouvée entre l'infrarouge frontal et axillaire [MD; 0,45 (1,64,-0,73°C) 95 % LoA]. Il y avait une corrélation positive significative entre la différence moyenne de la température infrarouge frontale/rectale et la température atmosphérique (r = 0,211 p = 0,029). Le modèle de régression linéaire a montré que la température frontale infrarouge de 37,1 °C était équivalente à la température rectale de 38 °C et axillaire de 37,4 °C, qui est la valeur seuil standard pour la fièvre. L'infrarouge jugulaire de 37,2°C équivalait à une température rectale de 38°C et la température axillaire de 37,4°C équivalait à l'infrarouge jugulaire de 37,03°C, le tout à une température atmosphérique moyenne de 28,3±1,8°C. CONCLUSION: La différence moyenne par laquelle la thermométrie infrarouge sans contact prédit les températures centrales peut différer en fonction de la température atmosphérique. La lecture du thermomètre frontal infrarouge sans contact de 37,1 °C pourrait être considérée comme le seuil de fièvre pour la thermométrie frontale sans contact au Nigeria dans les régions où la température atmosphérique moyenne est de 28,3 ± 1,8 °C. Mots clés: Thermomètre sans contact, température rectale, température axillaire, buccale, front, jugulaire, température atmosphérique.

Effects of timing of water stress on yield and berry size.

Past irrigation research in Marlborough showed that reducing irrigation on grapes by up to 60% would not have any impact on yield, but that the timing of the irrigation might be important for maintenance of yields. A research trial was set up with Sauvignon blanc grapes planted in containers; periods of water stress were applied for three weeks at different times of the growing season. During the three years of the trial the post-flowering (PO-F) period was consistently most sensitive to water stress. At harvest time, the crop yields for the PO-F water-stressed vines were 55%, 72% and 90% of control yields for the three consecutive years, and the bunch weights were 59%, 84% and 95%. Berry weights for the PO-F water-stressed vines were 87%, 96% and 73% of the control values, although the second-year difference was not significant. In two years out of three, there was a trend for PO-F and pre-veraison (PR-V) water-stressed vines to have the lowest berry soluble solids contents ( degrees Brix), indicating a delay in maturity. We suggest that to use irrigation sustainably, it is safe to reduce water applications for most of the season, but that immediately after flowering, any water stress should be avoided. During the period leading up to veraison, some mild water stress can be applied.