Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
How to Administer Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Critically ill Neonates, Infants, and Children
Published on: August 19, 2020
Parental perspectives on evaluation and management of fever in young infants: an interview study
Sukanya De1, Allison Tong1, David Isaacs2
1Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Insights
Parental experiences caring for febrile infants reveal a need for empowerment. Healthcare providers can enhance satisfaction by fostering medical partnership and validation, addressing parental vulnerability during serious illness evaluations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Parental Health
- Healthcare Communication
Background:
- Young febrile infants require thorough evaluation for serious bacterial infections.
- Parental perspectives significantly impact satisfaction and outcomes in febrile infant care.
- Understanding parental experiences is crucial for improving healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and describe the perspectives of parents whose young infants were hospitalized with fever.
- To identify factors influencing parental experiences during febrile infant evaluation and management.
Main Methods:
- Conducted semistructured, face-to-face interviews with parents of infants under 3 months old admitted with fever.
- Utilized thematic analysis of interview transcripts to identify key themes.
Main Results:
- 36 parents of 27 infants participated; all infants recovered fully after sepsis workup and antibiotics.
- Parental empowerment was influenced by expectations of support, medical partnership, and validation.
- Barriers included perceived medical seriousness, loss of control, and unmet support expectations.
Conclusions:
- Parental care for febrile infants is overwhelming, causing fear, helplessness, and loss of control.
- Family-centered care, involving parents and acknowledging their distress, can promote empowerment.
- Improved parental involvement can strengthen the alliance between families and healthcare providers.
Background:
Young febrile infants typically undergo meticulous evaluation to rule out serious bacterial infection. Parental perspectives on the process of evaluation and management of febrile infants can influence treatment satisfaction and outcomes. This study aimed to describe the perspectives of parents of young infants presenting to hospital with fever.
Methods:
We conducted semistructured, face-to-face interviews with parents of healthy, term infants aged less than 3 months, admitted to a tertiary children's hospital in Sydney, Australia, during the management of a febrile illness. The interview transcripts were thematically analysed.
Results:
36 parents of 27 infants participated. All infants underwent a complete sepsis work up, received empiric antibiotics and made a complete recovery. Parental empowerment was central to the three themes identified: expecting reassurance and support (overwhelming responsibility, heightened vulnerability), facilitators for parental empowerment (medical attentiveness, medical partnership, gaining closure and a sense of validation), and barriers to empowerment (unexpected medical seriousness, relinquished control, failed expectations of support and limited capacity for advocacy).
Conclusions:
Caring for a febrile infant is overwhelming for parents. When confronted by unexpected tests and hospitalisation, they fear the possibility of a severe illness, experience a sense of helplessness and loss of control as their infant undergoes painful tests, and doubt their own ability to meet their infant's needs. Family-centred care strategies that inform and support parents, acknowledging their concerns and distress, while involving them in the medical management, may promote parental empowerment and build better alliances between parents and healthcare providers.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Methods of reducing fever
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
01:25Increased Body Temperature
01:25Types of Fever
Here are the different types of fever:
01:26Patterns of Fever
01:14Temperature Measurement Sites
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Tympanic membrane
Step 1: Begin by practicing good hand hygiene to prevent the transmission of microorganisms.
Step 2: Turn on the thermometer and wait until the ready sign appears on the screen to ensure accurate measurement.
Step 3: Slide the probe cover in place to prevent cross-contamination.
Step 4: Instruct the patient to tilt their head to the side for comfort and check for cerumen...