Modern electronic and chemical thermometers used in the axilla are inaccurate

@article{Zengeya2006ModernEA,
  title={Modern electronic and chemical thermometers used in the axilla are inaccurate},
  author={Stanley Tamuka Zengeya and Ivan Blumenthal},
  journal={European Journal of Pediatrics},
  year={2006},
  volume={155},
  pages={1005-1008}
}
AbstractRectal and axillary temperatures were measured simultaneously in 83 children using three different thermometer devices providing 166 pairs of results. In the first series consisting of 22 febrile children (44 measurements) and 20 afebrile children (40 measurements), the rectal mercury measurement was compared to an axillary mercury and axillary Tempa-DOT thermometer. The axillary mercury had sensitivity of 14/22 (64%) and specificity of 20/20 (100%) while the Tempa-DOT had sensitivity… 
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Temporal artery and axillary temperature measurements showed variability to rectal temperatures but had marked variability in febrile children, and neither was sufficiently accurate to recommend replacing rectal or other invasive methods.
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