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. 2005 May;33(4):227-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2005.01.003.

A brief report on the normal range of forehead temperature as determined by noncontact, handheld, infrared thermometer

Daniel Kwok-keung Ng  1 , Chung-hong Chan, Eric Yat-tung Chan, Ka-li Kwok, Pok-yu Chow, Wing-Fai Lau, Jackson Che-Shun Ho
Affiliations

A brief report on the normal range of forehead temperature as determined by noncontact, handheld, infrared thermometer

Daniel Kwok-keung Ng et al. Am J Infect Control. 2005 May.

Abstract

Background: Noncontact forehead temperature measurement by handheld infrared thermometer was used as a screening tool for fever. However, the accuracy data and normal range of forehead temperature determined by this method were not available.

Methods: The temperature readings from 3 handheld infrared thermometers were validated against an electronic thermometer. Normal range of forehead temperature was determined by measuring the forehead temperature in 1000 apparently healthy subjects.

Results: Significant differences were detected in readings obtained by the 3 different handheld infrared thermometers (analysis of covariance, P < .001) The most accurate one was chosen, and the normal range of forehead temperature in 1000 subjects detected by this method was 31.0 degrees C to 35.6 degrees C.

Conclusions: Our study shows that commercially available, handheld infrared thermometers require individual validation. Forehead temperature in excess of 35.6 degrees C is suggestive of fever. Further studies are required to confirm accuracy of this value in detecting fever.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Difference against average of readings from HIT and electronic thermometer, with 95% limit of agreement (thin broken lines), mean difference (thick broken line), and regression line (solid line).
Fig 2
Fig 2
Histogram showing the frequency distribution of forehead temperature in 1000 apparently healthy adults.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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