[Familial use of ibuprofen in febrile children: a prospective study in the emergency room of an hospital in Lille].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the place of ibuprofen in the treatment of fever in children.


METHODS
An anonymous self-questionnaire was submitted to the parents of 156 children aged less than 15 years and 3 months consulting for a fever in a pediatric emergency care unit. Questions related antipyretic drugs availability at home and their administration modality to the febrile child.


RESULTS
Acetaminophen (liquid or rectal) was the first drug owned by families (N = 149, 96%). Ibuprofen was owned by 79 families (51%). The antipyretic drug administered as a first intention treatment was acetaminophen in 131 children (77%), ibuprofen in 27 (17%) and aspirin in 6 children (4%). An antipyretic bi-therapy was received by 58 children (35%), nearly always acetaminophen and ibuprofen (N = 48, 87%). The use of a bi-therapy was more frequent when ibuprofen was the first drug used. Children who received an antipyretic bi-therapy as compared to those who received a monotherapy exhibited significantly a higher fever level and long lasting fever period. Antipyretic drugs given to the sick children were prescribed by a physician in more than 90% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Ibuprofen was largely used in febrile children. This drug has almost always been prescribed by a physician. However, due to its side effects, ibuprofen should be used only in high and badly tolerated fever that is not altered by a well conducted acetaminophen monotherapy.
Charkaluk
M L
ML
Clinique de pédiatrie Saint-Antoine, hôpital Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, université catholique, boulevard de Belfort, BP 387, 59020 Lille cedex, France. charkaluk.marie-laure@ghicl.net
Kalach
N
N
El Kohen
R
R
Kremp
O
O
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen; D007052:Ibuprofen