It's getting hot in here - Pediatric Fevers

So, it's winter. Kids get sick. But really, 8-10 times a year is normal, so they're sick all the time! And they present to the ED with FEVER!!!!

What do you think about and what do you do with FEVER!?!?!?

- Fever = 38 degrees Celsius or 100.4 Fahrenheit

- Subjective fever per parents? Believe and work up/treat appropriately based on clinical presentation

- Determine exact onset and calculate fever duration (if since last night, it is only 1 day since <24 hours)

- Ask T-max
Thorough exams must include throat, ears, skin, oropharynx!

If suspect infectious etiology, treat with antipyretics:

Acetaminophen: 15 mg/kg every 4 hours, PRN

Ibuprofen (6 months and older): 10 mg/kg every 6 hours, PRN

The "alternating" approach of treating every 3 hours (Acetaminophen at 9, Ibuprofen at 12, Acet. at 3, etc) can help keep the kiddos' fever under control and keep them happy, hydrated, and hopefully home!

What to do!?


0-28 days infant: 

Orders: CBC with differential, Blood Culture, BMP, UA with culture, LP with CSF gram stain/cell count/culture/possible viral culture. +/- HSV PCR. +/- stool culture if presenting with diarrhea. CXR

Pathogens: Group B Strep, E. Coli, Listeria. Consider HSV

Treatment: Ceftazidime or cefotaxime + Ampicillin (for Listeria). or Gentamycin + Ampicillin. +/- Acyclovir (< 21 days, seizures, rash, mom w/ lesions)

**No ceftriaxone: ceftriaxone displaced bilirubin and places patient at increased risk for Kernicterus 

Dispo: Admit

29-60 days Infant: 

Similar to above, but more experienced pediatric clinicians may use clinical judgement regarding LP. In general, most general EM physicians should practice more conservative management and pursue LP. 

*Philadelphia/Rochester/Boston criteria for infants vary, hence the debate.*

Orders: CBC with differential, Blood Culture, BMP, UA with culture, LP with CSF gram stain/cell count/culture/possible viral culture. +/- HSV PCR. +/- stool culture if presenting with diarrhea. +/- CXR if respiratory symptoms. 

Treatment: Ceftazidime or cefotaxime + Ampicillin or Ceftriaxone. Skin infection: +vancomycin

Dispo: often admit, but again, clinical judgement. If you diagnose a UTI in a well appearing, eating infant and labs are normal WBCs, no bandemia, normal CSF, consider 1 dose of ceftriaxone and 24 hour follow up (be mindful of patient's family's education, access to healthcare/the hospital, reliability, health literacy, etc.). Do what is best for the patient. See reference from CHOP for an example:  https://www.chop.edu/clinical-pathway/febrile-infant-emergent-evaluation-clinical-pathway. Again - do what is best for the patient and appropriate for your level of pediatric training/experience. 

Acute Otitis Media: 

Bacteria: Strep pneumo (~80%), H. flu (especially if unvaccinated), Moraxella

Treatment: high dose Amoxicillin 90 mg/kg per day divided into 2 doses (to overcome strep pneumo's penicillin binding protein and H. flu's beta lactamase). If resistant, Augmentin (dose based off the amoxicillin) 


Pneumonia: 

Most common pathogens: 

< 3 weeks: E. coli, Group B Strep, Listeria

> 3 weeks: Strep pneumonia



UTI: 

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RSV/Bronchiolitis: Usually < 2 years old. Supportive care, often HFNC. Babies < 6 months are high risk and give good return precautions if child is well enough to go home.


Influenza: keep in mind children < 5 are all high risk, but children < 2 are at greatest risk. 

Treat with oseltamivir, even if after 48 hours for high-risk patients (young, immunosuppressed, asthmatic, renal disease, DM, neuromuscular disease, pregnant, long term care facilities). 

Oseltamivir dosing is BID for 5 days: <1 year old: 3 mg/kg. >1 year old and 15 kg or less: 30 mg. 

15-23 kg: 45 mg.  23-40 kg: 60 mg. > 40 kg: 75 mg.


Group A Strep Throat: Under 3 years old, do not develop Rheumatic heart disease so often do not require antibiotic treatments

Treatment: Low dose Amoxicillin. 45 mg/kg divided into 2 doses. 


Pyogenic Joint Infection: Most common age group is < 3 years old. 

Pathogen: Staph aureus is the most common pathogen and often with preceding trauma or URI

Treatment: Need ortho consult and include MRSA antibiotic coverage

References:

https://www.chop.edu/clinical-pathway/febrile-infant-emergent-evaluation-clinical-pathway

Harriet Lane - the whole book is a reference gem, but looked up each topic

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