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Accurate evaluation of body temperature is essential in many clinical scenarios. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers examined data from 75 prospective studies in which the accuracy of peripheral thermometers (tympanic membrane, temporal, axillary, or oral) was compared with central thermometers (pulmonary artery catheter [the gold standard for temperature measurement], urinary bladder, esophageal, or rectal). Analysis involved nearly 8700 patients; 42 studies were in adults, 32 studies were in children, and 1 study was in both.
The pooled sensitivity and specificity for detecting fever by peripheral thermometers were 64% and 96%, respectively; in other words, when a peripheral thermometer detected fever, it was likely pr…