So, it's winter. Kids get sick. But really, 8-10 times a year is normal, so they're sick all the time! And they present to the ED with FEVER!!!!
What do you think about and what do you do with FEVER!?!?!?
- Fever = 38 degrees Celsius or 100.4 Fahrenheit
- Subjective fever per parents? Believe and work up/treat appropriately based on clinical presentation
- Determine exact onset and calculate fever duration (if since last night, it is only 1 day since <24 hours)
- Ask T-max
Thorough exams must include throat, ears, skin, oropharynx!
If suspect infectious etiology, treat with antipyretics:
Acetaminophen: 15 mg/kg every 4 hours, PRN
Ibuprofen (6 months and older): 10 mg/kg every 6 hours, PRN
The "alternating" approach of treating every 3 hours (Acetaminophen at 9, Ibuprofen at 12, Acet. at 3, etc) can help keep the kiddos' fever under control and keep them happy, hydrated, and hopefully home!
What to do!?
0-28 days infant:
Orders: CBC with differential, Blood Culture, BMP, UA with culture, LP with CSF gram stain/cell count/culture/possible viral culture. +/- HSV PCR. +/- stool culture if presenting with diarrhea. CXR
Pathogens: Group B Strep, E. Coli, Listeria. Consider HSV
Treatment: Ceftazidime or cefotaxime + Ampicillin (for Listeria). or Gentamycin + Ampicillin. +/- Acyclovir (< 21 days, seizures, rash, mom w/ lesions)
**No ceftriaxone: ceftriaxone displaced bilirubin and places patient at increased risk for Kernicterus
Dispo: Admit
29-60 days Infant:
Similar to above, but more experienced pediatric clinicians may use clinical judgement regarding LP. In general, most general EM physicians should practice more conservative management and pursue LP.
*Philadelphia/Rochester/Boston criteria for infants vary, hence the debate.*
Orders: CBC with differential, Blood Culture, BMP, UA with culture, LP with CSF gram stain/cell count/culture/possible viral culture. +/- HSV PCR. +/- stool culture if presenting with diarrhea. +/- CXR if respiratory symptoms.
Treatment: Ceftazidime or cefotaxime + Ampicillin or Ceftriaxone. Skin infection: +vancomycin
Dispo: often admit, but again, clinical judgement. If you diagnose a UTI in a well appearing, eating infant and labs are normal WBCs, no bandemia, normal CSF, consider 1 dose of ceftriaxone and 24 hour follow up (be mindful of patient's family's education, access to healthcare/the hospital, reliability, health literacy, etc.). Do what is best for the patient. See reference from CHOP for an example: https://www.chop.edu/clinical-pathway/febrile-infant-emergent-evaluation-clinical-pathway. Again - do what is best for the patient and appropriate for your level of pediatric training/experience.
Acute Otitis Media:
Bacteria: Strep pneumo (~80%), H. flu (especially if unvaccinated), Moraxella
Treatment: high dose Amoxicillin 90 mg/kg per day divided into 2 doses (to overcome strep pneumo's penicillin binding protein and H. flu's beta lactamase). If resistant, Augmentin (dose based off the amoxicillin)
Pneumonia:
Most common pathogens:
< 3 weeks: E. coli, Group B Strep, Listeria
> 3 weeks: Strep pneumonia
UTI:
RSV/Bronchiolitis: Usually < 2 years old. Supportive care, often HFNC. Babies < 6 months are high risk and give good return precautions if child is well enough to go home.
Influenza: keep in mind children < 5 are all high risk, but children < 2 are at greatest risk.
Treat with oseltamivir, even if after 48 hours for high-risk patients (young, immunosuppressed, asthmatic, renal disease, DM, neuromuscular disease, pregnant, long term care facilities).
Oseltamivir dosing is BID for 5 days: <1 year old: 3 mg/kg. >1 year old and 15 kg or less: 30 mg.
15-23 kg: 45 mg. 23-40 kg: 60 mg. > 40 kg: 75 mg.
Group A Strep Throat: Under 3 years old, do not develop Rheumatic heart disease so often do not require antibiotic treatments
Treatment: Low dose Amoxicillin. 45 mg/kg divided into 2 doses.
Pyogenic Joint Infection: Most common age group is < 3 years old.
Pathogen: Staph aureus is the most common pathogen and often with preceding trauma or URI
Treatment: Need ortho consult and include MRSA antibiotic coverage
References:
https://www.chop.edu/clinical-pathway/febrile-infant-emergent-evaluation-clinical-pathway
Harriet Lane - the whole book is a reference gem, but looked up each topic