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Update of the 2009 Italian Pediatric Society Guidelines about management of fever in children.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In 2009, the Italian Pediatric Society developed national guidelines for management of fever in children for health care providers and parents/caregivers; an update of these guidelines was scheduled after 2 years.
OBJECTIVE
This article summarizes the update of Italian guidelines on managing fever in children, focusing specifically on measuring body temperature and using antipyretic agents.
METHODS
Relevant publications in English and Italian were identified through searches of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from January 1, 2008, to May 1, 2012. On the basis of consensus of a multidisciplinary expert panel, evidence levels and strength of recommendations were reviewed.
RESULTS
Axillary temperature measurement using a digital thermometer is recommended in children younger than 4 weeks. In the hospital or ambulatory care setting, axillary temperature measurement using a digital or infrared thermometer (tympanic or skin contact or nocontact) is recommended in children older than 4 weeks. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are the only antipyretic drugs recommended for use in children; however, combined or alternating use of these agents is not recommended.
CONCLUSIONS
Recent scientific evidence mainly supports previous recommendations. The aim of the present article was to support pediatric knowledge and stimulate application of guidelines in daily clinical practice.

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  • Publisher Full Text

    • Authors

    Chiappini E, Venturini E, Principi N, Longhi R, Tovo PA, Becherucci P, Bonsignori F, Esposito S, Festini F, Galli L, Lucchesi B, Mugelli A, de Martino M, Writing Committee of the Italian Pediatric Society Panel for the Management of Fever in Children

    Institution

    Department of Sciences for Woman and Child's Health, University of Florence, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 24, Florence, Italy.

    Source

    Clinical therapeutics 34:7 2012 Jul pg 1648-1653.e3

    MeSH

    Acetaminophen
    Age Factors
    Antipyretics
    Axilla
    Body Temperature
    Child
    Child, Preschool
    Fever
    Humans
    Ibuprofen
    Infant
    Infant, Newborn
    Italy
    Practice Guidelines as Topic
    Societies, Medical
    Thermometers

    Pub Type(s)

    Journal Article

    Language

    eng

    PubMed ID

    22742886