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Hyperpyrexia in children: clinical implications.

J S Surpure

    Pediatric Emergency Care
    |March 1, 1987
    PubMed
    Summary

    High fever in young children, known as hyperpyrexia, rarely indicates serious illness. Clinical evaluation, not routine tests, should guide medical decisions for febrile children.

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    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Emergency Medicine

    Background:

    • Hyperpyrexia, defined as a temperature of 41.1°C (106°F) or higher, is a concerning symptom in children.
    • Previous assumptions may link high fever directly to severe underlying conditions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the incidence of serious illness in children under two years presenting with hyperpyrexia.
    • To evaluate whether high fever alone is a reliable indicator of severe pediatric illness.

    Main Methods:

    • A prospective study was conducted over one year at a children's hospital emergency department.
    • Nineteen children under two years with hyperpyrexia were identified and followed.
    • Diagnoses were recorded, and patient outcomes were monitored.

    Main Results:

    • The incidence of serious illness solely indicated by high fever was found to be no higher than 0.15.
    • Diagnoses included common conditions like otitis media, pneumonia, and gastroenteritis.
    • No cases of meningitis or death occurred; only one child required hospitalization.

    Conclusions:

    • The presence of hyperpyrexia in young children does not necessarily signify a serious underlying illness.
    • Clinical assessment should guide decisions regarding laboratory work-up and hospitalization for febrile children.
    • Routine diagnostic testing and admission based solely on high fever are not supported by this study's findings.

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