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[Antipyretics indication by pediatricians. Internet as a tool in data collections]
Ariel Melamud1, Alejandro Suwezda, Rodrigo Matamoros
1arielmelamud@ciudad.com.ar
Insights
Pediatricians frequently alternate antipyretics for fever management in children, a practice not supported by evidence. Less experienced doctors are more likely to use this method.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Fever is a common pediatric complaint.
- Management of pediatric fever is crucial for child well-being.
Purpose:
- To investigate pediatrician practices regarding antipyretic use in children.
- To understand current fever management strategies and identify trends in antipyretic prescription.
Summary:
- A survey of 1600 pediatricians revealed that 59% alternate antipyretics, with younger practitioners doing so more frequently.
- Ibuprofen and Paracetamol are the most common antipyretics used, depending on the child's age.
- While 29% follow guidelines, 26% rely on personal experience, highlighting practice variability.
Impact:
- Findings suggest a need for evidence-based guidelines on alternating antipyretics in pediatric fever management.
- Highlights the influence of experience on clinical decision-making in pediatric care.
- Informs future research on the efficacy and safety of alternating antipyretic regimens.
Introduction:
Fever is one of the most common complaints in Pediatrics. We performed this study to know how pediatricians use antipyretics to manage fever in children, and Internet was used to collect data.
Methods:
On line survey with a questionnaire regarding general and specific issues about fever.
Results:
1600 pediatricians participated. 62% were female, 35% had less than 10 years of practice, 28% between 10 and 20 years of practice, and 33% over 20 years of practice. 67% had training in Pediatrics. 93% use the arm-pit to measure fever and 37% consider over 38 degrees C as being fever. The mostly used antithermic in older than 6 month was Ibuprofeno and in younger than 6 months, Paracetamol. 59% of the pediatricians alternate 2 antipyretics (63.7% with less than 20 year of experience versus 49.3% with > 20 years of experience in their profession); 29% define their actions based on the Argentine Society of Pediatrics guidelines and 26% on their personal experience.
Conclusions:
Pediatricians prescribe antipyretics regularly alternating them in spite of the lack of evidence supporting that behavior. The less experienced the pediatrician, the more frecuent the practice of alternating antipyretics.
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