Comparison of standard mercury thermometer and the liquid crystal device skin contact thermometer in febrile children at Eldoret District Hospital.

The purpose of this study was to compare the temperature readings obtained from febrile children using the conventional glass mercury thermometer and the liquid crystal device skin contact thermometer. 56 children with fever were studied irrespective of the cause. In 30 children, the mercury thermometer recorded higher readings than the LCD skin contact thermometer by an average of 0.67 degree C while in 12 children the LCD thermometer recorded higher readings than the mercury thermometer by an average of 0.34 degree C. There was no temperature reading difference in 14 children between the two methods. It is concluded that LCD thermometer is a useful, cost effective, safe and durable alternative to mercury thermometers especially in developing countries.