Level of parental anxiety and use of antipyretics in childhood fever

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse parental fever management (degree of temperature when parents start to administrate antipyretics) in relationship with the level of parental anxiety. Methods: Parental fever management was assessed by a questionnaire; the anxiety was determined by Spielberger-Hanin State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. There were surveyed 246 parents (median age 28,5 ± 5,7 years) of children, aged 3 months to 5 years, admitted to hospital with fever, without coexisting serious illness. Results: We have found that parents with a high level of anxiety (both – state and trait), administrate antipyretics at low degree of child’s temperature – 37.0 – 37.5 C in comparison with the parents with normal level of anxiety which administrate antipyretics at 38.5-39.0 C (trait anxiety- p<0,005, state anxiety- p<0,005). The most frequent fears about fever were that it can generate serious health complications, loss of consciousness, stroke, coma, choke. Conclusion: Childhood fever management – antipyretic administration – depends on the level of parental anxiety which is generated by misconceptions about the harmful effects of fever. Early antipyretic administration can reduce the beneficial effects of fever for child recovery.