Niefarmakologiczne metody obniżania ciepłoty ciała u dzieci gorączkujących – analiza postępowania rodziców na podstawie badania ankietowego

Abstract

Physical methods of lowering high body temperature in children are used widely. Cooling of the body in case of hypothalamic thermostat switch to a higher level for a short time may indeed reduce body temperature, but also activates tremors and vasoconstriction of the skin, and makes discomfort to the child. The combination of physical methods with drug may indeed accelerate the effect of treatment and can be advantageous for some patients, but it is not a routine procedure.The aim of the study was to determine how often parents of children use non-pharmacological methods of lowering the body temperature, also which methods are the most popular, and which therefore remain with pharmacotherapy. Material and methodsWe conducted an anonymous survey of parents. 184 of them have given information on the drug-free behavior in the course of child fever. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using a χ2 test. Results158 patients (85.87%) used non-pharmacological methods of lowering body temperature in febrile children. The most commonly used are the wraps (140/158, 88.61%) and cold baths (49/158, 31.01%), the establishment of a child with very lighter clothing, feeding with cool drinks, and ventilating the room. 8 people (8/158, 5.06%) had used physical methods of lowering body temperature instead of drugs. The majority of non-pharmacological methods were applied simultaneously with pharmacotherapy, but usually in a single stage (85 persons, 53.8%), or even before drug administration (59 persons, 37.34%), but rarely after administration (30 persons, 18.99%). ConclusionsThe majority of parents use non-pharmacological methods of lowering the body temperature of the child, usually packs and baths. The method of using these methods is often incorrect. It is necessary to educate parents in this regard.