Abstract

GIACHETTO, GUSTAVO et al. Conducta de los pediatras frente a la fiebre. Arch. Pediatr. Urug. [online]. 2001, vol.72, n.2, pp.116-120. ISSN 1688-1249.

Introduction: fever is the most common symptom in pediatrics. Previous studies have shown diversity of criteria about the diagnosis and treatment of fever in the population. Objective: to analyze the behavior of pediatricians in the treatment of fever. Methodology: 50% of the pediatricians of three emergency services of Montevideo (SEMM, SUAT, UCM) have been questioned by phone between July and August 2000. Results: 96% of the questioned answered (n=162). The mean axillar temperature considered as fever was 37.6º C (range 37.1 - 38.6); 99% of requested indicate physical measures, 66% independently of the temperature levels. Ibuprofen was the antithermic drug prefered (58%) followed by dipirona (28%) and acetaminophen (14%). The main reasons of such preference were: effectiveness 72%, safety 12%, less toxicity 11% and others 4%. There were a great variability in the dosages referred for each drug; 25% did not mention any adverse event. Conclusions: the behavior of pediatricians in the treatment of fever was heterogeneous. It’s remarkable the use of inadequate doses of drugs, unnecessary physical measures and the lack of hierarchization of the adverse effects of drugs used.

Keywords : FEVER; IBUPROFEN [therapeutic use]; DIPYRONE [therapeutic]; ACETAMINOPHEN [therapeutic use].

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