Related Experiment Videos
Effect of fever on capillary refill time
M H Gorelick1, K N Shaw, K O Murphy
1Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399, USA.
Pediatric Emergency Care
|November 22, 1997
Summary
Fever does not significantly impact capillary refill time in children, a key indicator of hydration status. This finding is crucial for accurate dehydration assessment in pediatric emergency care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Assessment
- Hydration Status Evaluation
Background:
- Capillary refill time (CRT) is a common bedside test to assess hydration in children.
- Fever is a frequent symptom in pediatric illness and may influence physiological parameters.
- The impact of fever on CRT accuracy in diagnosing dehydration requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the influence of fever on capillary refill time measurements in children.
- To determine if fever affects the reliability of CRT as an indicator of dehydration in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 234 children (1 month to 5 years) presenting to a pediatric emergency department.
- Capillary refill time was measured before therapy.
- Body temperature and fluid deficit (calculated from weight changes) were assessed to determine hydration status.
Main Results:
- Children with dehydration (>5% body weight deficit) had significantly longer CRT (2.0 ± 1.0s) compared to well-hydrated children (1.3 ± 0.5s).
- Febrile children showed no significant difference in CRT compared to non-febrile children within both dehydrated and well-hydrated groups.
- The diagnostic performance of CRT for dehydration remained consistent regardless of fever presence.
Conclusions:
- Fever does not appear to have a clinically significant effect on capillary refill time in children.
- CRT remains a valuable tool for assessing dehydration in pediatric patients, even when fever is present.