Determining causes and frequency of misdosing of antipyretics in patients presenting with fever to pediatric emergency

作者：Arikan Zeynep; Teksam Ozlem^*; Kara Ates; Kale Gulsev

来源：Turkish Archives of Pediatrics, 2012, 47(2): 114-118.

DOI：10.4274/tpa.716

• Acetaminophen
• fever
• dose of antipyretics
• ibuprofen
• pediatric emergency

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of misdosing of antipyretics in children presenting with fever to the pediatric emergency department and to identify factors affecting misuse. %26lt;br%26gt;Material and Method: This study was conducted between January and March 2008. Children with fever who were admitted between 08:00-16:00 were included in the study. A questionaire including 30 questions was prepared for parents or caregivers. The study approved by the ethics commite of Hacettepe Medical Faculty (HEK07/138-24). %26lt;br%26gt;Results: The caregivers of a total of 200 children were included in the study. It was observed that 54% of the patients received inaccurate doses of antipyretics. 66.5% of the patients received inaccurate dose of paracetamol including 58.1% underdose and 8.4% overdose. 37.3% of the patients received inaccurate dose of ibuprofen including 27.7% underdose and 9.6% overdose. It was found that as the age and weight of the child and the age of the parents increased, the probability of receiving inaccurate dose of antipyretic increased. It was found that 58% of the patients would have been taken to the emergency department, even if fever subsided. 97% of the families believed that fever had harmful effects. %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusions: Although the dose of antipyretics was reported to be learned from physicians in our study, it was observed that the dose of paracetamol and/or ibuprofen was inadequate in a significant portion of the patients. It was thought that the reason for wrong dosage of antipyretics was lack of updating of appropriate dosage knowledge with increasing age or weight. In addition, fever fobia was found to be a common belief in our study group. To decrease the frequency of inadequate antipyretic use and fever phobia it should be emphasized that families should be educated about fever and use of antipyretics and body weight should be taken into account when educating families. (Turk Arch Ped 2012; 47: 114-8)

• 出版日期2012-6