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Related Experiment Videos

Fever phobia: the pediatrician's contribution.

A May1, H Bauchner

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Boston City Hospital, MA.

Pediatrics
|December 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary

Pediatricians often recommend fever reduction, even at mild temperatures, potentially fueling parental fever phobia. Many believe fever is dangerous, yet fail to educate families on its actual risks.

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Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Fever phobia, an exaggerated fear of fever, affects parents across all socioeconomic strata.
  • Pediatricians' practices and educational messages can inadvertently exacerbate fever phobia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how pediatricians manage fever in their practice.
  • To assess pediatricians' beliefs about fever's dangers.
  • To understand the educational information provided to families regarding fever.

Main Methods:

  • A self-administered questionnaire was sent to a sample of American Academy of Pediatrics members in Massachusetts.
  • Pediatricians were surveyed on their beliefs about fever's danger, treatment practices, and educational approaches.
  • Response rate was 74% (172/234), with 151 completed surveys.

Main Results:

  • 65% of pediatricians believed fever could be dangerous, with 60% citing risks like seizures or death at 104°F or higher.
  • 72% always or often recommended fever reduction, typically between 101°F and 102°F.
  • 80% educated families about fever, but only 38% addressed its specific dangers.

Conclusions:

  • A significant portion of pediatricians hold beliefs contributing to fever phobia.
  • Treatment recommendations often occur at lower temperatures than clinically necessary.
  • Inconsistent educational messages regarding fever's actual risks persist.

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