Temperature of a fever
>= 100.4F or 38C
Accurate temperature measurement in children
Rectal thermometer in children < 3 y.o.
Oral thermometer in children > 5 y.o.
Axillary, temporal, tympanic thermometers are less accurate
Time of day when core temperature is lowest
AM; 0400-0800
Time of day when core body temperature peaks
Early PM; 1600-1800
Age stratification
Neonates?
0-28 days (4 weeks)
Age stratification
Young infants?
29 - 90 days (approx 3 months)
Age stratification
Young child?
91 days to <= 36 months
Normal rectal temperature range
Goal of fever
mechanism utilized by the body in fighting infection–retards reproduction of bacteria and viruses; enhances neutrophil production and T-lymphocyte proliferation; aids in body’s acute reaction
T/F Degree of fever correlates with severity of illness
False. The general appearance is a stronger indicator. So a low temperature does not negate a serious bacterial illness.
Goal of fever mgmt
Improve child’s comfort so they can follow plan of care
Physiology of fever
Infection induces macrophages to release cytokines that function as endogenous pyrogens to circulate to anterior hypothalamus; the hypothalamus then increases the levels of prostaglandin E2 which raises the core temperature set point
Fever mgmt recs: When?
Utilize when temp is > 102F (likely bacterial) or persistently > 101F
Fever mgmt recs: How?
Causes of fever in neonates (2)
Congenital or acquired infections, i.e. 1) late onset group B strep, or 2) acquired 2/2 anatomic or physiologic dysfunction, i.e. renal
Causes of fever in all children (11)
What age group who presents with a fever requires an automatic sepsis work-up including blood cx and empiric antibiotic therapy initiation?
Any young infant < 3 months/90 days
Definition of fever without a focus
An acute febrile illness < 5 days in which the etiology of the fever is not apparent after careful history and physical examination of a child less than 24 months of age
Most infants < 90 days have causative agent as ________, however, still need to rule out _____ disease so require a _____ work-up.
Birth - 24 months: Greatest risk of unsuspected occult bacteremia w/ E. coli. What are common SBIs? (3)
Any child < 36 months who is ill-appearing should have the following tests…(10)
Red Flags - Infants who need to be admitted to the hospital (16)
Subjective data – Associated symptoms - all children (7)
Subjective data - Social History - very young children (29-90 days) (5)