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Correcting respiratory rate for the presence of fever

A M Gadomski1, T Permutt, B Stanton

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland, Baltimore 21201, USA.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
|September 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Fever significantly elevates children's respiratory rate (RR). Acetaminophen effectively reduces fever and lowers elevated RR in children, indicating fever is a primary cause of increased RR in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Fever is a common symptom in children, often leading to increased respiratory rate (RR).
  • The precise relationship between fever intensity and RR elevation requires further definition.
  • Understanding this relationship is crucial for accurate clinical assessment of febrile children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the degree of respiratory rate elevation attributable to fever in children.
  • To evaluate the effect of acetaminophen on fever and respiratory rate in young children.
  • To differentiate fever-induced RR changes from other potential causes.

Main Methods:

  • Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving febrile children aged 6 weeks to 24 months.
  • Vital signs (temperature and RR) were recorded before and after administration of acetaminophen or placebo.
  • Inclusion criteria excluded children with serious illness, sepsis, or recent antibiotic/antipyretic use.

Main Results:

  • Acetaminophen significantly reduced fever compared to placebo.
  • A significant decrease in respiratory rate was observed in the acetaminophen group compared to the placebo group.
  • The results suggest that fever is a direct cause of increased respiratory rate in this pediatric population.

Conclusions:

  • Fever is a significant contributor to elevated respiratory rates in young children.
  • Acetaminophen effectively reduces both fever and associated respiratory rate elevations.
  • This study provides evidence for managing fever to alleviate respiratory distress in pediatric patients.

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