Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
06:59
A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
Rectal paracetamol in small children with fever
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|June 1, 1979
Insights
Paracetamol effectively reduces fever in children, regardless of whether it
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Therapeutics
Background:
- Fever management in children is crucial for comfort and preventing complications.
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a widely used antipyretic agent in pediatric populations.
- Administration route can impact efficacy and adherence in young patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the antipyretic efficacy of oral versus rectal paracetamol in febrile children.
- To evaluate the practicality of rectal paracetamol as an alternative administration route.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 37 febrile children aged 3 months to 6 years.
- Administration of paracetamol at a dose of 15-20 mg/kg via oral elixir or rectal suppository.
- Assessment of antipyretic effect following administration.
Main Results:
- Both oral and rectal paracetamol demonstrated comparable antipyretic effects.
- The rectal route proved to be a practical alternative for children unable to take oral medication.
Conclusions:
- Rectal paracetamol offers equivalent fever reduction to oral administration in children.
- The rectal route provides a viable and practical option for pediatric fever management when oral intake is challenging.
Abstract:
37 febrile children aged between 3 months and 6 years were treated with paracetamol in a dose of 15--20 mg/kg by either oral elixir or rectal suppository. The rectal route was found to have an equal antipyretic effect and offers a practical alternative in those children for whom the oral route is not possible.20
Related Concept Videos
01:22Methods of reducing fever
The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
01:29Decreased Body Temperature
A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by sustained extreme cold exposure, and severe...
01:14Temperature Measurement Sites
A thermometer measures body temperature. The common sites for measuring body temperature are the oral cavity, axillary region, temporal artery, and skin surface, such as the forehead, abdomen, and axilla. True core body temperature is assessed in the rectum, tympanic membrane, pulmonary artery, esophagus, and urinary bladder.
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...
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...
01:27Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal
Rectal temperature measurement is considered the most precise method for assessing core body temperature and typically registers higher than oral temperature. For adults, the rectal thermometer should be inserted 1 to 1.5 inches into the rectum to obtain the most accurate reading.
Follow these steps for rectal temperature assessment:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves to prevent cross-infection.
Step 2: Position the patient in a side-lying position to better visualize the rectal...
Follow these steps for rectal temperature assessment:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves to prevent cross-infection.
Step 2: Position the patient in a side-lying position to better visualize the rectal...
01:18Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents
Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide generation.