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Correlation between dosage and antipyretic effect of aspirin in children
Insights
Aspirin effectively reduces fever in children. Doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg showed superior antipyretic effects compared to 5 mg/kg, with 10 mg/kg considered a rational choice for pediatric fever treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Fever is a common symptom in children, often managed with antipyretic medications.
- Aspirin is a widely used antipyretic, but optimal dosing in pediatric populations requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and dose-response relationship of aspirin in reducing fever in children.
- To determine the optimal aspirin dosage for pediatric fever management.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 145 children aged 3 months to 11.5 years with fever (rectal temperature > 38.9°C).
- Children received aspirin at doses of 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg orally.
- Temperature measurements were taken at baseline, every 30 minutes for 4 hours, and hourly up to 6 hours post-administration.
Main Results:
- All aspirin dosages significantly reduced average body temperature between 1 and 6 hours post-administration.
- The 10 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg doses demonstrated significantly greater antipyretic effects than the 5 mg/kg dose.
- Clinical efficacy, defined as fever reduction below 38.9°C, was comparable and superior for the 10 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg groups.
- The duration of the antipyretic effect was not dose-dependent.
Conclusions:
- Aspirin is an effective antipyretic in children across the studied dosage range.
- Doses of 10 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg provide superior fever reduction compared to 5 mg/kg.
- Aspirin dosage of 10 mg/kg is recommended as a rational and effective treatment for fever in children.
Abstract:
One hundred and forty-five children aged 3 months to 11.5 years, with rectal temperatures greater than 38.9 degrees C, were randomly treated with aspirin 5, 10 or 15 mg/kg p.o. Temperatures were recorded just before medication, every 30 min thereafter for 4 h and subsequently hourly up to 6 h. In all dosage regimens the average temperature was significantly reduced in the time interval 1-6 h after drug administration; the antipyretic effect, however, was significantly greater with the 10 and 15 mg/kg doses. Both had significantly better and comparable clinical efficacy, defined as reduction in fever below 38.9 degrees C. The duration of the clinical effect was not dose-related. A dose of 10 mg/kg appears rational for the treatment of children with fever.