Izvorni znanstveni članak
Parental administration of antipyretics to children with upper respiratory tract infections without consultation with a physician
Tea Andabaka
; Ewopharma Ltd., Zagreb, Croatia
Tina Globočnik
; Dr Fran Mihaljević Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia
Dalibor Vukelić
; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Susanna Esposito
; Department of Maternal and Pediatric Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Bruno Baršić
; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Sažetak
Aim To evaluate the administration of antipyretics to children
with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) by their
parents or guardians without consultation with physicians,
and compare epidemiological and clinical characteristics
of patients who received antipyretics and of untreated patients.
Methods A prospective observational study was performed
in three pediatric clinics in Zagreb, Croatia, from
March to June 2002. A total of 171 children aged from 2
to 14 years with symptoms and signs of URTI lasting more
than 2 days and fever above 38°C lasting more than 2 days
were included in the study. Data were collected on the usage
of antipyretics, patients’ demographic and epidemiological
characteristics, and clinical signs and symptoms.
Results Antipyretics, predominantly paracetamol, were
used in 29.8% of patients. Their usage was less frequent in
children attending day-care centers (49% of treated and
70% of untreated children, P = 0.014) and in children with
reiterated URTIs (33.3% of treated and 55.8% of untreated
children, P = 0.008). However, it was more frequent in children
with recent URTIs in the family (33.3% of treated and
7.5% of untreated children, P < 0.001). Overall, most clinical
signs and symptoms of URTI were notably less pronounced
in patients treated with antipyretics.
Conclusions Antipyretics use correlated with less pronounced
clinical signs and symptoms of infection, which
indicates their anti-inflammatory activity, but also with
negative effects such as lethargy. It is necessary to educate
parents on the positive and negative aspects of antipyretics
use and on the optimal choice of an antipyretic drug.
Ključne riječi
antipyretics; analgesics, non-narcotic; fever; respiratory tract infections; paracetamol; acetaminophen
Hrčak ID:
78191
URI
Datum izdavanja:
15.2.2011.
Posjeta: 1.162 *