Fever

Curr Opin Pediatr. 2009 Feb;21(1):139-44. doi: 10.1097/MOP.0b013e32832130d2.

Abstract

Purpose of review: A comprehensive review of the current advances in the field of fever in children is presented.

Recent findings: Clinical and diagnostic predictors of serious disease in a child with fever are still being explored for early diagnosis so that therapy could be appropriately targeted. Host susceptibility and immune response are making strides in the understanding of disease pathogenesis and in identifying the causes of fever. Measurement of fever as a screening tool, a review of the efficacy of antipyretics alone or in combination, and finally a global perspective of fever have been discussed through a review of some of the publications in the past 18 months.

Summary: Better markers are required to predict serious bacterial infection in a child with fever. Clinical application of the host immune response in the diagnosis and management of fever is the direction of the future.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / therapeutic use*
  • Causality
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Progression
  • Fever / diagnosis*
  • Fever / drug therapy*
  • Fever / epidemiology
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Mass Screening
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic