NICE Guidelines for Fever in Children

January 26, 2018 by Dr Arun Pal Singh

In 2007 British journal of clinical practice published NICE guidelines on fever.

It contains practical advice on fever care.

child with fever

Here is the set of guidelines

Use of Antipyretic Agents

These guidelines recommend agains use of antipyretic agents routinely with the sole aim of reducing body temperature in children with fever who are otherwise well.

So if the child is playful and not sick looking, fever medication may be held. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are commonly used antipyretic agents.

Similarly, antipyretic agents will not prevent febrile convulsions and should not be used specifically for this purpose.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen should not routinely be given alternately to children with fever.

The use of antipyretic agents should be considered in children with fever who appear distressed or unwell.

Either paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to reduce temperature in children with fever.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen should not be administered at the same time to children with fever.

Tepid Sponging

Tepid sponging is not recommended for the treatment of fever. Children with fever should not be under dressed or over wrapped.

Building Confidence in Parents

It is a myth that is constantly maintained that the fevers can get too high and death ensues.

Another myth is that when the temperature gets too high, febrile convulsions may result.

These are myths and cause widespread anxiety about fever.

There is a concern or rather phobia about high temperature as it is believed that reducing the temperature makes the child feel more comfortable.

However, all fevers need not to be managed aggressively. Rather the need is to address the distress in the parents

Rather than advising to fear and fight a fever,the physician advice should support the fever process and, as such, build confidence in parents caring for their feverish child. This would enable the parents to cope with situation better and child is also not unduly stressed seeing concerned parents.