Checklist como herramienta para los padres ante la fiebre en el paciente pediátrico / Facing fever in the pediatric patient: Checklist as a tool for parents

Introducción: En Europa occidental el 20-40% de los niños con fiebre solicitan asistencia sanitaria. La mayoría presentan infecciones virales banales, sin embargo, es esencial en pediatría distinguir los pacientes que presentan una infección severa. Este proceso se inicia con el reconocimiento de la gravedad y la posterior búsqueda de atención médica por parte de los padres. Metodología: Estudio observacional analítico y transversal. Se seleccionaron 100 pacientes en 2 centros de salud. Se recogieron los datos sociodemográficos, junto con las respuestas de un checklist que contenía los signos y los síntomas ante los que solicitar asistencia sanitaria en caso de fiebre. Posteriormente se rellenó el checklist por parte del pediatra. Resultados: La edad media de los pacientes fue de 5,41 años. El 50% consultó en las primeras 48h de evolución de la fiebre. En el 42% la respuesta a todos los ítems del checklist fue exactamente la misma entre acompañante y pediatra. No existieron diferencias significativas según variables: primer episodio de fiebre (p=0,262), edad del paciente (p=0,859), tener hermano/as (p=0,880), parentesco familiar del acompañante (p=0,648) o grado de estudios del acompañante (p=0,828). Conclusiones: Las consultas médicas por fiebre en pediatría se realizan muy precozmente. Un alto porcentaje no presentan signos de alarma cuando consultan. Se plantea la necesidad ampliar la formación sobre los signos de alarma de la fiebre en todos los padres, independientemente del número de hijos, de la edad o del nivel educacional. El checklist como herramienta para la valoración en el domicilio de la fiebre ha recibido una alta puntuación en su utilidad.(AU)

Introduction: In Western Europe, 20%-40% of children with fever request health care. Most of them present trivial viral infections, however, it is essential in pediatrics to distinguish patients who present a severe infection. This process begins with the recognition of the seriousness and the subsequent search for medical attention by the parents. Methodology: Analytical and cross-sectional observational study. One hundred patients were selected in two health centers. Sociodemographic data were collected, together with the responses to a checklist containing the signs and symptoms to request health care in case of fever. Subsequently, the checklist was filled out by the pediatrician. Results: The mean age of the patients was 5.41 years. 50% consulted in the first 48h of fever evolution. In 42%, the response to all the items on the checklist was exactly the same between the companion and the pediatrician. There were no significant differences according to variables: first episode of fever (P=.262), age of the patient (P=.859), having a sibling (P=.880), family relationship of the companion (P=.648) or educational level of the companion (P=.828). Conclusions: Medical consultations for fever in pediatrics are carried out very early. A high percentage do not present alarm signs when they consult. There is a need to expand training on the alarm signs of fever in all parents, regardless of the number of children, age or educational level. The checklist as a tool for home assessment of fever has received high marks for its usefulness.(AU)

[Facing fever in the pediatric patient: Checklist as a tool for parents]. / Checklist como herramienta para los padres ante la fiebre en el paciente pediátrico.

INTRODUCTION: In Western Europe, 20%-40% of children with fever request health care. Most of them present trivial viral infections, however, it is essential in pediatrics to distinguish patients who present a severe infection. This process begins with the recognition of the seriousness and the subsequent search for medical attention by the parents. METHODOLOGY: Analytical and cross-sectional observational study. One hundred patients were selected in two health centers. Sociodemographic data were collected, together with the responses to a checklist containing the signs and symptoms to request health care in case of fever. Subsequently, the checklist was filled out by the pediatrician. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 5.41 years. 50% consulted in the first 48h of fever evolution. In 42%, the response to all the items on the checklist was exactly the same between the companion and the pediatrician. There were no significant differences according to variables: first episode of fever (P=.262), age of the patient (P=.859), having a sibling (P=.880), family relationship of the companion (P=.648) or educational level of the companion (P=.828). CONCLUSIONS: Medical consultations for fever in pediatrics are carried out very early. A high percentage do not present alarm signs when they consult. There is a need to expand training on the alarm signs of fever in all parents, regardless of the number of children, age or educational level. The checklist as a tool for home assessment of fever has received high marks for its usefulness.

[Infectious diseases and use of health care resources in children less than 2 years-old who attend kindergarten]. / Enfermedad infecciosa y consumo de recursos sanitarios en menores de 2 años que acuden a guarderías.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Parents often ask paediatricians for advice about the best way to care for their children. There are discrepancies in the literature on this subject. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of attending kindergartens on the risk of acute infections and the use of health care resources in children less than 24 months. POPULATION AND METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted on two cohorts of children 0-24 months (born between 1 January and 30 September 2010), who were grouped according to whether they attended kindergarten or not, and were usually seen in 33 pediatric clinics of the Principality of Asturias Public Health Service. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A total of 975 children were studied, of whom 43.7% attended a kindergarten at 24 months. Attending kindergarten increases the risk of pneumonia by 131%, recurrent wheezing by 69%, bronchitis by 57%, and otitis media by 64%. Early exposure to kindergarten increases the risk of pneumonia from 2.31 to 2.81, and the mean emergency room visits from 1 to 2.3. The mean antibiotic cycle is 1.7 in children who do not go to kindergarten, 3.4 if started within the first 6 months, and 2 if they start at 18 months. Day-care attendance is a risk factor of infectious diseases that increases if attending kindergartens from an early age.