Clinical Practice Guideline: The Outpatient Management of Fever in Children and Adolescents - PubMed
6 hours ago
- #fever-management
- #pediatrics
- #clinical-guidelines
- Fever is a common symptom in children and adolescents, accounting for 20%-40% of pediatric office visits and 30% of emergency medical contacts.
- For neonates and infants under 3 months, rectal temperature measurement with a digital thermometer is recommended.
- From age 1, infrared tympanic thermometers can be used (sensitivity 77%, specificity 98%).
- Temperatures above 40°C in infants under 3 months are associated with a higher risk of severe bacterial infection (OR 6.3).
- In older children, the height of the fever has little prognostic significance.
- The decision to lower fever should be based on the child's suffering and impairment, not routinely.
- Parents and carers should be educated about fever as a normal defense reaction and recognize warning signs (e.g., impaired consciousness, dehydration).
- For treatment, acetaminophen (10-15 mg/kg BW, max 4 times/day) or ibuprofen (10 mg/kg BW, max 3 times/day) can be used.
- The guideline promotes a symptom-oriented approach and emphasizes avoiding unnecessary antipyretic drugs.