Rectal temperatures | Why were rectal temperatures …

Views: 3073 Created: 2023.05.03

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Has anyone ever read an older medical journal or some policy manual that explained the rationale for taking routine rectal temperatures until the age 13 in clinical settings? I’ve scoured the internet and libraries for years but never came across any medical literature that ever suggested continuing rectal temperatures to that age neither at home nor in a pediatric office. In fact, everything I’ve read completely contradicted this by stating that rectal temperatures were never recommended for children over 4 or 5 unless the child was unconscious or an accurate core temperature was critical for a more serious medical diagnosis.

Throughout my childhood in the 70’s and 80’s most pediatric offices reserved rectal thermometer use for babies and toddlers during sick visits. Although no parents or even public school nurses would have ever taken the rectal temperature of a 12 year old, there remained a few pediatric offices like mine who strangely continued them up to 13 with no logical explanation ever given. I’m not sure what significance the age of 13 had with determining the policy but it seemed arbitrary and was far above the age which every medical encyclopedia recommended. Perhaps there was some scant reasoning for taking the rectal temperature of a 12 year old who was too sick for an oral thermometer but there was certainly no legitimate medical reason for taking their temperature rectally during routine checkups. But even for that sick 12 year old choosing a rectal temperature over an oral one adds nothing different to their treatment (fluids, acetaminophen, ibuprofen) so it didn’t make much sense to needlessly subject kids to such an embarrassing procedure. I recall one memorable doctor visit around the age of 11 when a branch poked my eye while climbing a tree. Although I showed no signs of illness my temperature was taken rectally upon arrival just because it was their policy. I also found it strange how my mom never questioned this since she had discontinued rectal temperatures at home when I was around 5. As a preteen kid I questioned my mom as to why my temperature was still taken rectally at my doctor’s office but gave no reasonable answer, only saying things like “that’s just how they do it there” or “don’t make such a big deal out of it”.

I’ve always been extremely curious about the origins of the age 13 policy so if you have any information to share I’d really appreciate it.

Kenw

I’ve noticed in many cases images of rectal temperatures. The thermometers don’t seem to be inserted deep enough, but of course you do need to be careful when inserting that if there’s any resistance at all, you don’t wanna force it.🌡️🧴🧻

Orxxy

My pediatrician’s office stopped taking my temperature rectally when I was 6. I have never seen anything suggesting continuing until age 13.

oldskoolotk

There was a Diff’rent Strokes episode where Sam had to go to the hospital at the same time as Mr Drummond and he volunteered to go to the pediatric ward with Sam. They told Mr Drummond it was time to take temps and he opened his mouth and was told “that’s not how we take temps in the pediatric ward”.

They had a lot of humor about the embarrassments we went through in the 80s, there was one where Arnold had a dream about getting a giant shot in the butt from the sister (don’t remember the name). And of course, spanking humor.

If you were in a pediatric ward in the 80s your temp would be taken rectally, period. It’s accurate and no chance of you spitting out a mercury filled glass tube, really the best option at the time to ensure safety. I changed doctors a couple of times before the one I stayed with beginning at 8 years old and they all took rectal temps. I’m pretty sure it was standard to at least 8. I had mine through age 12, others mentioned all the way to 17.

Slim88

I can remember back around 1990 or 1991, my cousin had to have both tonsils removed. He was 11 or 12 then. The surgery caused an infection and he had to be put right back in the hospital. My mom and I went to visit him, and I noticed a capital letter R by each temperature entry on the chart hanging on the clipboard on the wall. He told me with some hesitation that the nurse was sticking the thermometer up his butt because of the infection. She couldn't take it accurately by mouth or ear, and the only other reliable route in those days was rectally. I teased him about it because his nurse was pretty. He said having her do that to him wasn't any fun and didn't feel comfortable talking about it.

DomGreekChi

I kind of remember getting it as a little kid at the doctor's office, but only barely. So it probably stopped around age 6 or 7.

I did get it when I was 19 from my doctor twice. I got mono in my tonsils were so inflamed everything in my mouth hurt. I developed sores all over the inside of my mouth, so he had me drop my pants and bend over for the rectal temp for both appointments.

CCole

I don't remember having mine taken this way. But play exams are always taken rectally.

Why were rectal temperatures taken until 13?

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