Pediatric anesthesia & critical care
Optimal Positioning of Nasopharyngeal Temperature Probes in Infants and Children: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors' conclusion
Nasopharyngeal thermometers accurately measure core temperature, but only when probes are inserted a proper distance, which varies with age.
Study context
- Population
- Pediatric patients having noncardiac surgery with endotracheal intubation
- Participants
- 157 patients
- Exposure
- Nasopharyngeal vs reference esophageal temperature at varying nasopharyngeal probe insertion depths, by age group
- Outcome
- Optimal nasopharyngeal probe insertion depth by age (limits of agreement between nasopharyngeal and esophageal temperatures <0.5 °C)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Optimal nasopharyngeal probe insertion depth
| Group | Value | 95% LOAs at 9 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn to 6 months | 6 to 10 cm | |
| 7 months to 1 year | 7 to 8 cm | |
| 13 to 23 months | 7.5 to 12 cm | |
| 2 to 5 years | −0.67 °C to 0.52 °C | |
| 6 to 12 years | 10 to 12 cm |
Value
Newborn to 6 months6 to 10 cm
7 months to 1 year7 to 8 cm
13 to 23 months7.5 to 12 cm
2 to 5 years— not stated in the abstract
6 to 12 years10 to 12 cm
95% LOAs at 9 cm
Newborn to 6 months— not stated in the abstract
7 months to 1 year— not stated in the abstract
13 to 23 months— not stated in the abstract
2 to 5 years−0.67 °C to 0.52 °C
6 to 12 years— not stated in the abstract
- Bias (mean nasopharyngeal-to-esophageal difference) at optimal position within each age range
- ≤0.1 °C
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Optimal Positioning of Nasopharyngeal Temperature Probes in Infants and Children: A Prospective Cohort Study. Anesth Analg. Published 29 November 2022. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →