[AFSSAPS 2005 recommendations have not modified the way parents take care of children's fever].
BACKGROUND
Fever in children is frequent. Often mild, initial care is the parents' responsibility: medicinal treatments and medical consultations. Unfortunately, the efficiency of parental care is poor. Therefore, in 2005 the AFSSAPS updated its recommendations. One and 6 years after publication of the guidelines, this study rates their impact by describing and comparing parents' knowledge and behavior when faced with fever in their children.


METHODS
This survey was conducted in families whose children were attending preschool in and near Metz (France) in 2006 and 2012. The same questionnaire was given to assess the knowledge, care, and symptoms of serious fever. The results were processed based on the number of children in the family and the family's socioeconomic category.


RESULTS
In 2006, 1038 questionnaires were distributed and 1273 in 2012. The fever threshold was not better known in 2012. Bathing and uncovering children remained the predominant physical methods used. Treatment was based on the use of ibuprofen and alternating treatments. However, the conditions of administering medication were well known to parents. The causes and motives for consultation were not better understood in 2012 however. The main source of information was physicians.


CONCLUSIONS
The message disseminated since 2005 has not been efficient. Its complexity has not eradicated old beliefs and inappropriate parental practices. A campaign based on a brief, simple message has to be organized, providing better chances of being assimilated by the public. Medical practices should be standardized.
Département de médecine générale, faculté de médecine de Nancy, université de Lorraine, 9, avenue de la forêt de Haye, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
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Sellier-Joliot
Département de médecine générale, faculté de médecine de Nancy, université de Lorraine, 9, avenue de la forêt de Haye, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
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Di Patrizio
Pôle S2R, épidémiologie et évaluation clinique, CHU de Nancy, 54000 Nancy, France.
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Minary
Département de médecine générale, faculté de médecine de Nancy, université de Lorraine, 9, avenue de la forêt de Haye, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; CIC-P-Inserm, CHU de Nancy, 54000 Nancy, France. Electronic address: jmarc-boivin@orange.fr.
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JM
Boivin
D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires