Fever in under 5s: assessment and initial management

Symptoms and signs of serious illness: The Guideline Development Group (GDG) recommends a UK-based epidemiological study on the symptoms and signs of serious illness.

Management by remote assessment: The GDG recommends that a UK study is undertaken to determine the validity of symptoms reported on remote assessment for children with fever.

Diagnosis: The GDG recommends that a UK study of the performance characteristics and cost-effectiveness of procalcitonin versus C-reactive protein in identifying serious bacterial infection in children with fever without apparent source be carried out.

Antipyretics: The GDG recommends that studies are conducted in primary care and secondary care to determine whether examination or re-examination after a dose of antipyretic medication is of benefit in differentiating children with serious illness from those with other conditions.

Home-based antipyretic use: The GDG recommends studies on home-based antipyretic use and parental perception of distress caused by fever. [2013]

Thermometers and the detection of fever: Measuring temperature in young babies: tympanic versus axilla electronic versus axilla chemical dot versus temporal artery.

Management according to risk of serious illness: The GDG recommends that research is carried out on referral patterns between primary and secondary care for children with fever, so the health economic impact of this and future guidelines can be estimated.

Signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease: Which signs and symptoms (or combinations of signs and symptoms) predict a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease in children under 5 presenting with fever lasting 5 days or more?