Fever in the Infant and Toddler Questions & Answers

Updated: May 17, 2023
  • Author: Jane M Gould, MD, FAAP; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What are challenges of fever in the infant and toddler?

How is the etiology of fever in neonates identified?

How is the etiology of fever in infants and toddlers identified?

What is the incidence of bacteremia in infants and children with fever?

Presentation

What is the role of neonate nursery course in the evaluation of fever?

What should be the focus of history in the evaluation of fever in neonates?

What is the role of prenatal history in the evaluation of neonates with fever?

What should be the focus of history of household contacts in the evaluation of fever in neonates?

What should be included in the physical exam for the evaluation of fever in neonates?

What should be the focus of history in the evaluation of young infants with fever?

What is the role of past medical history and household contacts in the evaluation of young infants with fever?

What is included in the physical exam of young infants with fever?

What should be the focus of history in the evaluation of fever in older infants and toddlers?

Which symptoms should be noted in the history of older infants and toddlers with fever?

What is the role of past medical history in the evaluation of fever in older infants and toddlers?

What is the role of family history in the evaluation of fever in older infants and toddlers?

What is the role of environmental and household contacts in the evaluation of fever in older infants and toddlers?

What should be included in the physical exam of fever in older infants and toddlers?

DDX

What are the diagnostic considerations for fever in the infant and toddler?

What are the differential diagnoses for Fever in the Infant and Toddler?

Workup

What is the role of lab studies in the evaluation of fever in the infant and toddler?

What is included in a sepsis evaluation for febrile neonates?

What is the role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies in evaluation of febrile neonates?

What is the role of urine and stool studies in the evaluation of febrile neonates?

What is the role of chest radiography in the evaluation of febrile neonates?

Which lab studies are included in the evaluation of fever in young infants?

What is the role of urine and stool studies in the evaluation of fever in young infants?

What is the role of chest radiography in the evaluation of fever in young infants?

What are the criteria used for determining risk of occult bacteremia in young infants with fever?

What are the Rochester criteria for assessment of fever in the young infants?

What are the Boston criteria for assessment of fever in the young infants?

What are the Philadelphia criteria for assessment of fever in the young infants?

Which lab studies are included in the evaluation of fever in older infants and toddlers?

What is the role of urine studies in the evaluation of fever in older infants and toddlers?

Which criteria are used to assess the risk of occult bacteremia in older infants and toddlers with fever?

Which lab findings suggest a low risk of occult bacteremia in older infants and toddlers with fever?

Treatment

What is the focus of treatment for fever in the infant and toddler?

What is included in the management of fever in neonates and young infants?

What is the role of empiric antibiotics in the treatment of fever in neonates and young infants?

What is included in the management of well-appearing febrile infants?

What is included in the management of ill-appearing febrile neonates?

What is included in the management of fever in older infants and toddlers?

Medications

Which medications are used in the treatment of fever in the infant and toddler?

Which medications in the drug class Antipyretics are used in the treatment of Fever in the Infant and Toddler?

Which medications in the drug class Antivirals are used in the treatment of Fever in the Infant and Toddler?

Which medications in the drug class Antimicrobials are used in the treatment of Fever in the Infant and Toddler?