How do I manage a fever in children?

Introduction

Fever in children is a common clinical symptom that often causes significant concern among parents and caregivers. Managing fever effectively involves understanding both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to ensure the child's comfort and safety.

Key Insights

Measurement and Initial Assessment:
- Axillary measurement using a digital thermometer is recommended for children of all ages when measured at home.
- Tympanic measurement using an infrared thermometer is also suitable for children aged 4 weeks and older.
- High fever can sometimes indicate severe bacterial infection, necessitating careful monitoring.
Pharmacological Management:
- Antipyretics such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen are recommended only when fever is associated with discomfort .
- The dose of antipyretics should be based on the child's weight rather than age, and oral administration is preferred over rectal administration.
- Combined or alternating use of antipyretics is generally discouraged due to potential complications and the risk of unsafe use .
- Ibuprofen should not be used in febrile children with chickenpox or dehydration.
Non-Pharmacological Management:
- Physical methods like tepid sponging can reduce fever but are often associated with discomfort and are not recommended as a routine practice .
- Encouraging fluid intake and ensuring the child is not overdressed are simple, effective measures to manage fever .
- Physical cooling methods, such as fans or ambient temperature adjustments, have not been well-studied but are part of standard care in some settings .
Parental Education and Concerns:
- Fever itself is not harmful and does not worsen the course of an illness or cause long-term complications; the primary goal is to improve the child's comfort .
- Educating parents about the safe use of antipyretics and the importance of monitoring the child's overall well-being is crucial .
- Many parents have an exaggerated fear of fever, often referred to as "fever phobia," which can lead to unnecessary treatment .
Clinical Guidelines and Recommendations:
- Febrile infants less than 28 days old should be hospitalized due to the high risk of severe disease .
- For children aged 3 to 36 months with high fever and specific clinical criteria, further diagnostic tests and possibly antibiotics may be required.
- Guidelines emphasize individualized care based on the child's condition and the effectiveness and risks of interventions .

Conclusion

Managing fever in children involves a balanced approach that prioritizes the child's comfort and safety. Pharmacological treatments should be used judiciously, focusing on alleviating discomfort rather than merely reducing body temperature. Non-pharmacological methods, such as ensuring adequate hydration and appropriate clothing, can also be effective. Educating parents about the nature of fever and safe management practices is essential to reduce anxiety and prevent unnecessary interventions.

How do I manage a fever in children?

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Management of fever in children: summary of the Italian Pediatric Society guidelines.

The Italian Pediatric Society guidelines recommend using paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever associated discomfort, based on the child's weight, and caution in cases of severe hepatic/renal failure or malnutrition.

Physical methods for treating fever in children.

Tepid sponging may help reduce fever in children, but more studies are needed to confirm this finding.

Fever and Antipyretic Use in Children

Pediatricians should focus on improving a febrile child's comfort rather than focusing on normalizing body temperature, and emphasize the importance of monitoring activity, observing for signs of serious illness, and encouraging appropriate fluid intake.

Non-pharmacological management of fever in otherwise healthy children

Individualized fever care in children should minimize antipyretic use and encourage fluid intake and unwrapping, while avoiding routine tepid sponging.

Non‐pharmacological Management of Fever in Otherwise Healthy Children

Individualized care for febrile children should minimize antipyretic use and focus on supporting the body's physiological responses, while avoiding routine tepid sponging.

Practice guideline for the management of infants and children 0 to 36 months of age with fever without source. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.

These guidelines suggest that febrile infants under 28 days of age should be hospitalized for parenteral antibiotic therapy, while febrile children aged 3 to 36 months should have blood cultures and antibiotics pending results.

Fever and Fever Management in Children: A Literature Review

Current fever management in children lacks research evidence, and pediatric nurses can play a crucial role in encouraging clinical research and enhancing research utilization to improve nursing care and patient outcomes.

Managing the child with a fever.

Managing a fever in children requires careful observation, assessment, and referral if necessary.

Fever in Children: Should it be Treated?

Fever in children is rarely harmful and may be part of the body's innate protection against infection, but treating it to relieve discomfort is the main reason for treatment.

Symptomatic management of fever by Swiss board-certified pediatricians: results from a cross-sectional, Web-based survey.

Swiss pediatricians often prescribe antipyretics to treat general discomfort in children with fever, but a gap exists between available evidence and clinical practice.

Try another search