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There are fake digital thermometers for babies available on sale online for very cheap prices. MHRA warns parents against the dangers of such products as they could be extremely dangerous for children with severe illnesses.

More than 400 fake digital thermometers in Britain have already been seized by The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after raids in Harrow and Oxford. Some of these thermometers are sold for prices as low as 99p, Mail Online reported.

These thermometers are termed dangerous for children with an acute illness such as meningitis, since they could give inaccurate readings.

"It is vital that people do not buy or use cheap, unapproved medical devices" warned Dr Nicola Lennard, from the MHRA.

The issue first came to light and raids were started when a child with leukemia became a victim of the misread temperature by the thermometer. The parents of the child had bought the device online. The child had to be rushed to the hospital for immediate medical care after the thermometer misread a very high temperature and showed otherwise.

According to MHRA officials, fake thermometers neither have a recognized brand name or leaflets, nor do they have the right CE safety markings, warnings or instructions for use, says the report.

During the raid, there were also other fake products like counterfeit Kiddicare cool pads, and counterfeit Slendertone devices which were seized by MHRA. These products were reportedly sold on eBay. How these products entered the UK market, is being investigated.

"Inaccurate readings from cheap, fake thermometers could result in a delay to a child getting the medical treatment they need. The MHRA is working with internet sites to ensure that fake medical devices are not sold to people, and we urge the public to report faulty medical devices," Dr Nicola Lennard, the MHRA's deputy clinical director was quoted as saying by Mail Online.

Fake devices can be reported at MHRA's Adverse Incident Hotline on 020 3080 6080 or via its website.