GorÄ czka niejasnego pochodzenia u dzieci: problem ciÄ gle aktualny

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is well-known complex diagnostic problem occurring in patients of any age. FUO (or FWS - fever without source) in children up to 36 months has his own specificity related to developmental age. Poor symptomatology is most important trouble, resulting in clinical assessment difficulty and potential SBI (serious bacterial infection) detection delay. Clinical diagnosis can be made sooner with use of suitable clinical criteria (e.g. criteria Rochester) or clinical observation scales (YOS). That allows to distinguish “low risk” of SBI or “high risk” febrile infants. In search of the etiology of feverish diseases the long-standing (WBC) and present-day tests (CRP, PCT) are performed besides microbiologic examinations. A number of new diagnostic markers are under research (e.g. secretory phospholipase A2). In recent years, there appeared comprehensive national guidelines devoted to diagnostics and management of FUO and SBI in children from neonatal period from 36 months (Cincinnati Hospital guidelines) to 5 years (NICE) of age.