Fever, fever phobia and hyperthermia: What pediatricians need to know Article

Totapally, BR. (2005). Fever, fever phobia and hyperthermia: What pediatricians need to know . International pediatrics : the journal of the Miami Children's Hospital, 20(2), 95-103.

cited authors

  • Totapally, BR

authors

abstract

  • Body temperature is controlled by an elaborate thermoregulatory system that modulates heat production and heat loss so that the core temperature is maintained within a narrow range. Elevated body temperature is one of the most common reasons why parents seek medical attention for their children and is the primary complaint of about 30 to 50% of children seen by pediatricians. This is mostly due to fever but can be due to hyperthermia. Fever is a regulated rise in core temperature, with a rise in the set-point of the hypothalamic thermostat, in response to a physiologic threat to the host whereas hyperthermia is an elevation of core temperature without elevation of the hypothalamic set-point due to disturbances in thermoregulatory mechanisms. Misconceptions and undue anxiety about fever in children are common among parents as well as healthcare professionals. This is called fever phobia. This review article describes the pathogenesis and management of fever and hyperthermia in children and implications of fever phobia. Copyright © 2005 Miami Children's Hospital.

publication date

  • June 1, 2005

published in

start page

  • 95

end page

  • 103

volume

  • 20

issue

  • 2