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Febrile Child Module

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TopicFebrile child
AuthorSarah Timmis
DurationUp to 2 hours
Equipment neededNone
  • Basics (10 mins)
  • Main session: (2 x 15 minute) case discussions covering the key points and evidence
  • Advanced session: (2 x 20 minutes) case discussions covering grey areas, diagnostic dilemmas; advanced management and escalation
  • Sim scenario (30-60 mins)
  • Quiz (10 mins)
  • Infographic sharing (5 mins): 5 take home learning points

We also recommend printing/sharing a copy of your local guideline.

The expectation is for the learners to have watched or read one of the basic links before the session.

What is the deal with fever? a good overview of the approach to a febrile child

NICE fever guidelines for kids • LITFL covers the NICE guidelines, plus a bit more

If you prefer to listen rather than read, there is a podcast that although long, is worth listening to and covers the approach to a febrile child: (1hr 14 minutes)

Pediatric Fever Without A Source

Fever is one of the most common presentations to the paediatric emergency department; it scares parents and it makes children miserable. So why does fever occur? A fever is a natural physiological response to infection. It occurs when either an exogenous (eg micro-organisms) or endogenous (eg TNF, interleukin-1 or 6) pyrogen is activated. These pyrogens, via a number of mechanisms, activate the anterior hypothalamus which ultimately results in an increase in body temperature (The pathophysiological basis and consequences of fever).  

This is crucial to understand – your body is in control of your temperature. This is not something an infection is doing to your body; it is something your body is doing to the infection. Of note- this is different from pathological hyperthermia, where your temperature is elevated by either hypothalamic dysfunction or external heat. These are extremely rare. (Hot Garbage: Mythbusting fever in children)

The process of having a fever is believed to be a beneficial response to an infection. The mechanisms by which a fever helps protect you from infection include:

  1. Higher temperatures inhibiting growth/replication of pathogens
  2. Higher temperatures promoting the immune response to infection
  3. It is also worth noting that bacteria are killed more easily by antibiotics at higher temperatures, so there is also a potential third mechanism.

With all this considered, it is not the presence of the fever that is the issue, but what the reason behind the fever is. This is what we, as clinicians, need to discern. First of all, is it infection (most likely in the paediatric population), if so, is this a serious infection? Or is the fever caused by something else (malignancy, drugs, autoimmune, endocrine)?

A father attends the ED with his 4 year child, who has a 2 day history of fever, his most recent temperature was 39.9oC and this has prompted his visit to the emergency department. The father describes his child as being otherwise well, but is extremely concerned about the height of the fever.

Describe how you would assess the child?

What investigations and treatment options would you consider?

You are happy with your assessment of the child, and would like to discharge him, however his temperature is 38.5oC. How do you proceed?

Is this child sick?

Observe the child

Take a history – what are the parents worried about?

Examine the child

Investigations and treatment

You are happy with your assessment of the child, and would like to discharge him, however his temperature is 38.5. How do you proceed?

A 5 week old girl has been brought in by her mother. Her mother reports the child seemed irritable so she took her temperature and it was 38.2oC. Pregnancy and birth was unremarkable and there have been no concerns since her birth. The child is feeding well and the history and examination are unremarkable, observations in the ED have been within normal limits, apart from her current temperature which is 38.5oC. Your initial assessment has not provided you with an obvious source for the infection.

When is a temperature classed as a fever?

How would you investigate this child?

How would you manage this child if they had a white cell count of 17 x109/L?

When is a temperature classed as a fever?

Investigations

Management

A 7 week old has been brought in by her mother because she felt very hot today, and has been ‘a bit grizzly’. Mum has given paracetamol and brought her to ED. Her temperature is 37.6oC on triage. On initial assessment you have no concerns and remaining observations are within normal limits. 

How should a temperature be taken? 

How would you investigate and manage this patient?

Measuring a temperature

Investigations and management

So in summary, we have an infant with a normal temperature, who probably had a fever this morning. There are at least two ways of managing this, one is to treat as a fever which therefore means bloods (FBC, CRP, B/C), urine and if history suggests, a CXR and or stool culture. Given that there was parental concern this is probably the preferable option. The other is a period of observation to see how the child progresses, and see whether or not they spike a fever. 

Given that there are no clinical concerns at present, antibiotics prior to blood results are not indicated.

For a debate surrounding overtreating infants read https://dontforgetthebubbles.com/fever_under_60_days_of_age/

A 3 year old boy has returned to ED with a history of 6 days of fever, they have seen the GP twice, two and four days ago, and told it was a viral illness. However the fever is persistent and his parents are concerned. His past medical history includes two admissions for viral wheeze when he was younger, but is otherwise unremarkable. All immunisations are up to date, he goes to nursery and lives with his parents, he has no siblings but his mother is 9 weeks pregnant. On examination the child seems grumpy, he has a fever of 38.8 and a HR of 150 he has a rash across his face and torso and evidence of conjunctivitis.

You think the rash looks morbilliform, what are your concerns and how will you proceed?

What other differentials should you consider, and what examination findings would you be looking for?

How would you work this patient up?

You think this rash looks morbilliform what are you concerns and how will you proceed?  

What other differentials should you consider, and what examination findings would you be looking for?

How will you work this patient up?

Communication: Septic screen , taken from  Simulation Library, PaediatricFoam

Question 1

Answer 1

Question 2

Answer 2

Question 3

Answer 3



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