Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
6222757 The Journal of Pediatrics 2013 8 Pages PDF
Abstract

ObjectiveTo review the literature and test the hypothesis that the use of antipyretic drugs in children with acute infections slows recovery.Study designA systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was undertaken to investigate the effect of antipyretic drugs upon recovery from infectious diseases in children. A search of Medline (1946 until November 2012) and EMBASE (1980 until November 1, 2012) was undertaken to identify studies in which the authors compared the use of antipyretic medications with nonpharmacologic treatments for fever.ResultsSix papers were identified, 5 of which were included in the meta-analysis. Three studies focused on children with malaria and the other 3 considered general viral and respiratory infections and varicella. The pooled mean difference in time to fever clearance was 4.16 hours and was faster in those receiving antipyretics compared with those not (95% CI −6.35 to −1.96 hours; P = .0002). There was little evidence of statistical heterogeneity (χ2 4.84; 4 df; P = .3; I2 17%).ConclusionThere is no evidence from these studies that the use of antipyretics slows the resolution of fever in children.

Related Topics
Health Sciences Medicine and Dentistry Perinatology, Pediatrics and Child Health
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