Fever and Fever Management in Children: A Literature Review

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purposes of this review were to identify whether available evidence supports the nursing interventions that are commonly used to reduce fever in children and to introduce research findings into practice. METHODS: Journal databases and clinical guidelines from 1990 to 2009 were searched. The search terms were fever, febrile convulsion, fever management, fever phobia, child, antipyretics, temperature, external cooling, tepid sponge bath, and physical treatment. RESULTS: Evidence suggests that uncomplicated fever is relatively harmless, but it is an important immunological defense. Antipyretics should not routinely be used with the sole aim of reducing body temperature in children with fever who are otherwise well. Currently a lack of evidence supports the practice of alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen, and the routine use of tepid sponge bath. CONCLUSION: Currently, fever management in children does not reflect research evidence. Pediatric nurses can play an important role by encouraging clinical research in this area and also by enhancing research utilization in their practice. Moreover, pediatric nurses can educate parents about evidence-based fever management. Evidence-based educational interventions for pediatric nurses need to be developed and evaluated to improve the quality of nursing care in the management of childhood fever.