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[Clinical observation and analysis of febrile children]
1Department of Pediatrics, China Medical College Hospital.
Insights
Infectious diseases are the primary cause of prolonged fever in children, particularly those under 2 1/2 years old. This study highlights the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment of pediatric fevers, especially during summer months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Context:
- Fever in children is a common symptom requiring medical attention.
- Understanding the etiology of pediatric fever is crucial for effective management.
- This study retrospectively analyzed 100 febrile children admitted to a hospital between 1987 and 1989.
Purpose:
- To investigate the causes and epidemiological characteristics of fever in hospitalized children.
- To identify the most common diagnoses and age groups affected by prolonged fever.
- To determine seasonal patterns in pediatric fever cases.
Summary:
- Infectious diseases accounted for 86% of prolonged fever cases in children.
- The highest incidence was observed in children under 2 1/2 years old (73%).
- A significant proportion of cases (43%) occurred during summer, suggesting seasonal prevalence.
Impact:
- Findings emphasize the importance of considering infectious etiologies in febrile children, especially younger ones.
- Highlights the need for heightened awareness and diagnostic focus during summer months.
- The study suggests that prompt diagnosis and treatment lead to favorable prognoses in most pediatric fever cases.
Abstract:
Fever is an indication of acute disease, and needs special attention. To better understand the causes of fever in children, we analysed the records of 100 febrile children who were admitted to this Hospital from June 1987 to December, 1989. In these 100 cases, 7 days' fever prior to admission included 32 cases (32%); 7 to 14 days' fever prior to admission, 43 cases (43%); over 14 days' pre-admission, 25 cases (25%). The age distribution was younger than 1 month, 3 cases; 1 month to 1 year, 52 cases; 1 year to 2 1/2 years, 20 cases; 2 1/2 years to 5 years, 16 cases; 5 to 10 years 6 cases; older than 10 years included 3 cases. Post-admission diagnoses of these children showed most had an infectious disease: 86 cases; "summer fever": 5 cases; perineal abscess: 1 case; cellulitis: 1 case; leukemia, 2 cases; 5 were from other causes. Fevers were more prevalent in summer. In conclusion, the most common cause of prolonged fever in children is infectious disease 86%, with the highest incidence of age distribution under 2 1/2 years old, with 73%. The case distribution showed a prevalence in summer 43%. Almost all prognoses were good.