Pediatr Emerg Med J.  2018 Jun;5(1):13-18. 10.22470/pemj.2017.00143.

An analysis of caregivers' preference regarding fever management in the emergency department

• Kim HJ
• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2435126
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22470/pemj.2017.00143

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate caregivers' preference regarding fever management in the emergency department.
METHODS
Between July 2011 and June 2014, we surveyed the preference in fever management by caregivers of febrile children aged 7 years or younger who visited the emergency department. The questionnaire consisted of the characteristics of the children and their caregivers, usefulness of tepid massage, and the caregivers' preference in fever management, in particular the combination of methods and the doses of antipyretics.
RESULTS
Among a total of 161 children, 161 were enrolled in the study, with the mean age of 5.0 years. Of the caregivers, 64.6% were in their 30s and 50.9% were parents, and 70.2% and 24.2% reported that tepid massage was "very useful" and "a little useful," respectively. The most preferred combination of methods was "tepid massage, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen (50.9%; P < 0.001)." "Tepid massage and ibuprofen" was preferred to "tepid massage and acetaminophen (24.2% vs 7.5%)." The most preferred dose of antipyretics was 1 mL/kg/day (divided into 3 doses; 60.2%; P = 0.012), followed by 1 mL/kg/day (divided into 3 doses) plus 2 mL/dose (29.1%).
CONCLUSION
Caregivers may recognize tepid massage as a useful fever management. The most preferred fever management was the combination of tepid massage, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen with a dose of 1 mL/kg/day.

Keyword

Acetaminophen; Antipyretics; Child; Emergency Medicine; Fever; Ibuprofen

MeSH Terms

Acetaminophen
Antipyretics
Caregivers
Child
Emergencies*
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Fever*
Humans
Ibuprofen
Massage
Parents
Acetaminophen
Antipyretics
Ibuprofen