Analysis of doctors’ awareness of the fever correction principles in children

• Main Authors: Yu.V. Marushko, T.V. Hyshchak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Publishing House Zaslavsky 2019-02-01
• Series: Zdorovʹe Rebenka
• Subjects: ibuprofen; acetaminophen; children; survey
• Online Access: http://childshealth.zaslavsky.com.ua/article/view/157872
• ISSN: 2224-0551; 2307-1168

Background. Fever in children is one of the most common causes for parents to see a doctor. The purpose was to analyze the state of awareness of doctors about the fever treatment principles in children, the methods of optimal dosage of antipyretic drugs and features of the antipyretic therapy use in certain categories of patients by means of specially designed questionnaires. Materials and methods. One hundred eight doctors took part in the survey. The questionnaire consisted of 20 questions. Results. Doctors note that only 66.0 % of parents use the means recommended by the doctor to reduce the body temperature in their children, the rest rely on personal experience and recommendations of pharmacists. 64.2 % of respondents indicated ibuprofen as a first-line antipyretic drug. 90.6 % of doctors believed an increase in body temperature to 38.5 °C or more to be an indication for the use of antipyretic drugs. However, 26.4 % of doctors use this group of drugs after vaccination; 17.0 % of respondents admit the use of antipyretic drugs at a child’s body temperature less than 38.5 °C, especially with a history of febrile convulsions, as well as pain syndrome and poor health. 50.9 % of respondents combine the use of ace­taminophen and ibuprofen if one of them is ineffective, using the second drug in the intervals between taking the first one. The most difficult questions for doctors were the peculiarities of the use of antipyretic drugs in children with comorbidities. Conclusions. Given the findings of the survey, we consider it necessary to conduct further work among physicians on awareness of the principles and indications for the use of antipyretic therapy in children.