Farmakoterapia gorączki u dzieci – postępowanie rodziców przed uzyskaniem porady lekarskiej

Abstract

IntroductionApplication of antipyretics by parents, before consulting of medical advice, is a general practice. The aimof study was the estimation, which antipyretics were applicable by parents, in which doses and application methods and estimation of that practice accuracy. Materials and methodsAnonymous questionnaire research was carried among 206 parents or caregivers (196 woman) of children hospitalised in Department of Pediatrics, Allergology and Gastroenteriology. The questions were concerning with pharmacological treatment in case of fever in child. Children were in infant age (109), toddlers and pre-school (81) and school age (16). Statistical analysis and χ2 test with corrections for small groups were performed. ResultsThe most often applicable antipyretics were paracetamol and ibuprofen, with comparable frequency. Preferred and most often served form of paracetamol and ibuprofen was syrup, and for paracetamol, rectal form was popular too, especially among youngest children. Only 64.71% parents correctly dosed paracetamol, considerable percentage of them served too low dose, and over half – too seldom. 76.92% served correct dose of ibuprofen, and remained with comparable frequency to small or too big doses; frequency of supply was correct in 80.67%. Combined antifebrile treatment was used only by 33.92% parents, knowledge was insufficient on this theme. ConclusionsIt is necessary to put greatest push on instructing parents in range of fever treatment by physicians of first contacts. Lack of knowledge can be a reason of inefficacy of employed procedure.