Nasopharynx is well-suited for core temperature measurement during hypothermia therapy.

Background: Rectal temperature is commonly used as the core temperature during therapeutic hypothermia therapy in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The purpose of this study was to examine whether nasopharyngeal temperature could serve as a substitute for rectal temperature. Methods: We prospectively investigated 40 neonates with HIE who underwent therapeutic hypothermia by selective head cooling, which involved cooling the body to 34 degrees C for 72 h. During this period, nasopharyngeal temperature was measured and compared with rectal temperature every hour. Results: For 40 neonates included in this study, the mean rectal and nasopharyngeal temperatures were 34.3 +/- 0.4 degrees C (n = 2920) and 34.3 +/- 0.4 degrees C (n = 2920), respectively. Nasopharyngeal temperature strongly correlated with rectal temperature (R-2 = 0.623, P < 0.0001) and magnitude of the mean difference between nasopharyngeal and rectal temperature varied little during the 72 h of therapeutic hypothermia. Conclusions: Nasopharyngeal temperature in neonates with perinatal HIE undergoing therapeutic hypothermia may be a suitable substitute for rectal temperature.