American Journal of Pediatrics

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Balanced Approach to Neonates and Young Infants with Fever

Received: 16 October 2019    Accepted: 07 November 2019    Published: 14 November 2019
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Abstract

Fever in early infancy may indicate the presence of an invasive bacterial infection [IBI]. Viral infection is the most common cause of fever in young infants, with Rhinovirus being the most common. Rectal temperature 38°C should be considered as fever. Bacterial infection may be the cause of fever in this age group even in the presence of a clear viral etiology. Evaluation and treatment of febrile infants during the first 3 months of life requires a balanced and cautious approach. After the introduction of vaccines in early infancy, there have been considerable changes in the bacterial pathogens and consecutive changes in the evaluation and empiric treatment of febrile young infants. While full septic screen seems necessary in the evaluation of many febrile young infants, partial septic screen without Lumbar puncture could be better in selected cases. It is the responsibility of the pediatrician to recognize the risk of invasive bacterial infection and to avoid unnecessary investigations at the same time. In this study, we suggest a simple approach that avoids the weak points of the available approach plans. Using clinical examples, we try to simplify this practical challenge.

DOI 10.11648/j.ajp.20190504.25
Published in American Journal of Pediatrics (Volume 5, Issue 4, December 2019)
Page(s) 254-259
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Febrile Infant, Invasive Bacterial Infection, Risk Factors, Full Septic Screen, Empiric Antibiotics

References
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Author Information
  • Department of Pediatrics, Altakhassussi Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

  • Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

  • Faculty of Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

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  • APA Style

    Gihad Alsaeed, Ibrahim Alsaeed, Mohamed Alsaeed. (2019). Balanced Approach to Neonates and Young Infants with Fever. American Journal of Pediatrics, 5(4), 254-259. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajp.20190504.25

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    ACS Style

    Gihad Alsaeed; Ibrahim Alsaeed; Mohamed Alsaeed. Balanced Approach to Neonates and Young Infants with Fever. Am. J. Pediatr. 2019, 5(4), 254-259. doi: 10.11648/j.ajp.20190504.25

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    AMA Style

    Gihad Alsaeed, Ibrahim Alsaeed, Mohamed Alsaeed. Balanced Approach to Neonates and Young Infants with Fever. Am J Pediatr. 2019;5(4):254-259. doi: 10.11648/j.ajp.20190504.25

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajp.20190504.25,
      author = {Gihad Alsaeed and Ibrahim Alsaeed and Mohamed Alsaeed},
      title = {Balanced Approach to Neonates and Young Infants with Fever},
      journal = {American Journal of Pediatrics},
      volume = {5},
      number = {4},
      pages = {254-259},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajp.20190504.25},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajp.20190504.25},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajp.20190504.25},
      abstract = {Fever in early infancy may indicate the presence of an invasive bacterial infection [IBI]. Viral infection is the most common cause of fever in young infants, with Rhinovirus being the most common. Rectal temperature 38°C should be considered as fever. Bacterial infection may be the cause of fever in this age group even in the presence of a clear viral etiology. Evaluation and treatment of febrile infants during the first 3 months of life requires a balanced and cautious approach. After the introduction of vaccines in early infancy, there have been considerable changes in the bacterial pathogens and consecutive changes in the evaluation and empiric treatment of febrile young infants. While full septic screen seems necessary in the evaluation of many febrile young infants, partial septic screen without Lumbar puncture could be better in selected cases. It is the responsibility of the pediatrician to recognize the risk of invasive bacterial infection and to avoid unnecessary investigations at the same time. In this study, we suggest a simple approach that avoids the weak points of the available approach plans. Using clinical examples, we try to simplify this practical challenge.},
     year = {2019}
    }
    

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    AU  - Gihad Alsaeed
    AU  - Ibrahim Alsaeed
    AU  - Mohamed Alsaeed
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    AB  - Fever in early infancy may indicate the presence of an invasive bacterial infection [IBI]. Viral infection is the most common cause of fever in young infants, with Rhinovirus being the most common. Rectal temperature 38°C should be considered as fever. Bacterial infection may be the cause of fever in this age group even in the presence of a clear viral etiology. Evaluation and treatment of febrile infants during the first 3 months of life requires a balanced and cautious approach. After the introduction of vaccines in early infancy, there have been considerable changes in the bacterial pathogens and consecutive changes in the evaluation and empiric treatment of febrile young infants. While full septic screen seems necessary in the evaluation of many febrile young infants, partial septic screen without Lumbar puncture could be better in selected cases. It is the responsibility of the pediatrician to recognize the risk of invasive bacterial infection and to avoid unnecessary investigations at the same time. In this study, we suggest a simple approach that avoids the weak points of the available approach plans. Using clinical examples, we try to simplify this practical challenge.
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