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Sub-Category:

Fever of Unknown Origin

Number of Conditions: 1

Emergent Management of Pediatric Patients with Fever

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Pediatric Emergencies

Sub-category: Fever of Unknown Origin

Symptoms:
fever >38°c; irritability; lethargy; rash; vomiting; seizures (febrile); respiratory distress

Root Cause:
Fever in children may indicate an underlying infection, inflammatory condition, or other systemic issues requiring prompt evaluation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
History and physical examination, blood tests (CBC, blood cultures), urinalysis, imaging studies (e.g., chest X-ray), lumbar puncture for meningitis suspicion.

Treatment:
Antipyretics, empiric antibiotics if bacterial infection is suspected, IV fluids for dehydration, and treatment of specific underlying conditions.

Medications:
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever; empiric antibiotics such as ceftriaxone or ampicillin in suspected sepsis or meningitis; antiviral agents like acyclovir for herpes encephalitis .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Fever is one of the most common presentations in pediatric emergencies worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Young age, incomplete vaccination status, recent illness or infection, and exposure to sick individuals.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good in most cases with timely diagnosis and treatment; prognosis depends on the underlying cause of the fever.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Febrile seizures, dehydration, sepsis, and delay in diagnosing life-threatening conditions.