[Acute fever without source in infants and children less than 36 months of age]
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this article is to review current information about fever without source in children less than 36 months of age and to discuss the practical aspects of diagnosis and management.METHODS: Articles from the specific area were reviewed and presented in a practical form with recommendations from the authors.RESULTS: Febrile children comprise a substantial proportion of ambulatory pediatric visits. The majority of children are less than 3 years old. At first examination, there may be considerable overlap in the clinical appearance of children with fever due to viral illness, occult bacteremia and serious bacterial infection. The authors present the recommendations and protocols cited in the literature to assist physicians in managing infants and children with fever without source.CONCLUSION: Although many approaches to the evaluation and management of the febrile infant exist, no diagnostic protocol or therapeutic scheme is optimal for all patients. Pediatricians may individualize their management of these patients, depending on their experience, or interpretation of the recommendations presented in the literature.
Trotta
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Ede A
Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Gilio
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