title: Parental administration of antipyretics to children with upper respiratory tract infections without consultation with a physician.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the administration of antipyretics to children with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) by their parents or guardians without consultation with physicians, and compare epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients who received antipyretics and of untreated patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study was performed in three pediatric clinics in Zagreb, Croatia, from March to June 2002. A total of 171 children aged from 2 to 14 years with symptoms and signs of URTI lasting more than 2 days and fever above 38 °C lasting more than 2 days were included in the study. Data were collected on the usage of antipyretics, patients' demographic and epidemiological characteristics, and clinical signs and symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antipyretics, predominantly paracetamol, were used in 29.8% of patients. Their usage was less frequent in children attending day-care centers (49% of treated and 70% of untreated children, P = 0.014) and in children with reiterated URTIs (33.3% of treated and 55.8% of untreated children, P = 0.008). However, it was more frequent in children with recent URTIs in the family (33.3% of treated and 7.5% of untreated children, P < 0.001). Overall, most clinical signs and symptoms of URTI were notably less pronounced in patients treated with antipyretics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antipyretics use correlated with less pronounced clinical signs and symptoms of infection, which indicates their anti-inflammatory activity, but also with negative effects such as lethargy. It is necessary to educate parents on the positive and negative aspects of antipyretics use and on the optimal choice of an antipyretic drug.
authors.affiliation: Ewopharma Ltd, Zagreb, Croatia. tea.andabaka@gmail.com
authors.forename: Tea
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Andabaka
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Globočnik
authors.forename: Dalibor
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vukelić
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baršić
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D058633:Antipyretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D002656:Child Day Care Centers / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D053609:Lethargy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010819:Physician's Role; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D058633:Antipyretics; D000082:Acetaminophen