Evaluation of children with fever greater than or equal to 104 degrees F in an emergency department.
Two hundred five children with a temperature greater than or equal to 104 degrees F seen in a pediatric emergency department were studied over a six-month fall-winter period to determine the patterns of illness and hospitalization. Children over five years composed a large group (38%) of patients admitted. The proportions of patients with viral and bacterial illnesses (40 and 45%) were similar, as were hospitalization rates for the two types of illnesses (11 and 14%). The hospitalization rates did not change if pneumonias were considered all bacterial or all viral. Chest x-rays were done in 103 patients, and pneumonia was diagnosed in 26 with 18 (69%) occurring in children older than 24 months. There were 10 adolescents greater than or equal to 12 years, five of whom had Group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Blood cultures were drawn in 85 patients, and bacteremia occurred in 12 patients, all younger than 24 months. This study shows that significant illnesses and a high proportion of hospitalizations occurred in children of all ages, particularly in children older than five years.
Marcinak
J F
JF
Department of Pediatrics, Columbus Children's Hospital, Ohio.
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004630:Emergencies; D005334:Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009820:Ohio; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications; D012621:Seasons; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology