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Measurement of body temperature is one of the simplest and most important activities that a parent can do on their own to initially determine the child’s health. But it turns out that it’s just as important to write down what the thermometer shows. Research shows that few parents make this “effort”. Experts call for this to be changed as soon as possible.
- 65 percent parents do not record the child’s temperature measurement
- – They assume that the record is not important, but it can facilitate an accurate diagnosis – explains the co-author of the UCE RESEARCH i Warmie study, which was attended by parents of children aged 0 to 7 and 8 to 14 years old.
- The study also examined how caregivers measure their children ‘s temperature and what devices they use for this purpose
- More current information can be found on the Onet homepage
Notation (not) significant
Over 60 percent parents do not record the temperature of the sick child. They assume that the record is not important, but it can facilitate an accurate diagnosis and improve the quality of the child’s treatment – emphasized Piotr Piątek, co-author of the study.
Among the surveyed parents of children aged 0-7, 65% does not save the result of the temperature measurement, 11 percent. only occasionally records the result, and 17 percent. does not remember if it has done so before. In the case of parents of children aged 8-14, only 3 percent. writes, 69 percent does not do it, 6 percent. they rarely do it, and 22 percent. he can’t remember it.
As Piotr Piątek, the co-author of the study emphasized, “parents assume that such a record is not important and they prefer to remember the result”.
– But it is worth taking a note of the temperature of the child, for example to check how long it took for the temperature to drop or rise after taking the medication. Often such information is needed by the doctor during consultations – he explained.
He added that the full course of regularly measured temperature can definitely facilitate an accurate diagnosis and improve the quality of the child’s treatment.
– Without taking notes, it is very easy to confuse measurements, which is worth reminding parents for the sake of their children – he said.
The rest of the text below the video.
How often is your baby’s temperature measured?
The frequency of measurements should be consulted with the doctor, as it depends on the child’s condition.
32 percent of the surveyed parents of children aged 0-7, if necessary, measure the temperature once a day, 16 percent. twice a day. In the case of parents of children aged 8-14, 41% declared the measurement. subjects. Once a day, it checks the temperature of 35 percent. respondents. However, 12 percent. she doesn’t remember how often she does it.
According to Piątek, older children can already describe the ailments that accompany them. – However, in the case of the youngest children, getting a precise answer is extremely difficult. Therefore, parents may not recognize when there is a need for additional measurements, he emphasized.
What thermometer to measure the temperature of a child?
38 percent parents of children aged 0-7 most often use touch thermometers to measure temperature, 27 percent. touchless, and 16 percent. liquid thermometers. 9 percent he uses a traditional or electronic meter alternately. In the case of children aged 8-14, parents most often choose a non-contact device – 37 percent. The tactile thermometer uses 29 percent. parents, and the liquid – 25 percent.
At Medonet Market you will find a wide selection of thermometers, both non-contact and tactile, for measuring temperature in the mouth, armpit or rectal route.
– Speed of measurement may be the most important consideration for children under three years of age, who are most difficult to keep still. Keeping the thermometer under the armpit for a few minutes is more problematic than measuring on the forehead, for example while sleeping, commented Dr. Wojciech Francuzik from the technology company Warmie, co-author of the study.
The study was conducted by UCE RESEARCH and Warmie, using the CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) method, among 1017 people who declared that they have and raise children aged 0 to 7 and 8 to 14 on a daily basis (PAP).
Author: Agnieszka Gorczyca