Fever (pediatrics)

 'Fever'  is a rise in body temperature (core body temperature) above 38 ° C. = J | article = Children's fever | journal = Pediatrics for practice | year = 2004 | year = 5 | pages = 99 | issn = 1803-5264 | url = https://www.pediatriepropraxi.cz/}}

Body temperature is maintained by a control system in the anterior hypothalamus. Fever is caused by the leaching of endogenous pyrogens into the circulation as a result of infection, an inflammatory process (rheumatic disease) or malignancy. Microbes and their toxins act as "exogenous pyrogens" and stimulate the release of endogenous pyrogens. Endogenous pyrogens include: interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferons released monocytes, macrophages,  mesangial cells, glia, epithelia and B-lymphocytes. Endogenous pyrogens enter the anterior hypothalamus via the arterial blood supply, from where arachidonic acid is subsequently released, which is further metabolized to prostaglandin E 2, which increases the setting " hypothalamic thermostat ’. Antipyretics (ibuprofen, aspirin) inhibit hypothalamic cyclooxygenase and thereby inhibit the production of prostagladin E 2.  'The most common cause of'  fever is an infectious disease. Life-threatening bacterial infections include, in particular, sepsis, meningitis, osteomyelitis, arthritis, cellulitis (inflammation of subcutaneous fat and ligaments),  enteritis] ], [[urinary tract infections | pyelonephritis and  epiglottitis.

Thus, fever is caused by the leaching of endogenous pyrogens, the production of which can be induced by exogenous pyrogens (bacteria and their toxins, viruses, yeasts, protozoa, drugs, toxic substances…). However, fever can also occur without the presence of pyrogens, eg during intracranial hemorrhage, thrombosis, severe hemolysis, brain tumors, hypothalamic disorders.

Hyperpyrexia
Hyperpyrexia is a body temperature above 40 (41) ° C axillary. It is usually part of a developing septic shock with manifestations of centralized blood circulation (cold acre, impaired peripheral perfusion, tachycardia). Represents a high degree of risk to the patient ( convulsions, disorders of consciousness, risk dehydration).

Fever phase

 *  'Prodromal (latent) stage'  (set-point readjustment phase) temperature does not change yet.
 *  'Incrementi'  (increase in temperature - feeling cold) the body's effort to prevent heat loss - vasoconstriction, increase basal metabolism (BM), heat generation, muscle tremor (up to 5 weeks of age without tremor - heat production by brown fat), cold, pale skin, cessation of perspiration,  thermoregulatory behavior (reactions similar to exposure to cold).
 *  'Acme (plateau - peak)'  after reaching the maximum temperature set by the set-point, warm, red, dry skin - increased warm blood flow, increased heart rate (TF) (1 ° C 8-10 beats).
 *  'Decrementi'  (retreat - feeling warm, redness) return of set-point and temperature to normal, removal of heat from the body - vasodilation, sweating, warm, red, damp skin, thirst, possible dehydration, pressure drop.

Temperature and its duration depend on many external and internal factors (amount and type of pyrogens, hydration, ambient temperature - heat production increases in the cold, heat loss decreases in the heat = reaching dangerously high values ​​+ worsens dehydration, age - the elderly have a lower febrile response, young children are prone to high temperatures,  febrile convulsions…).

Metabolic context

 *  'effect on TF'  (1 ° C + 8–10 beats / min, risk at heart failure)
 *  'increase in the body's nutritional requirements'  (energy-intensive condition, increased sympathetic activity, increased metabolic demands, energy savings for the immune system)
 *  'danger dehydration'  (fluid supply, especially in the elderly), decreases diuresis
 *  'hyperventilation'  (increased BM)
 *  'constipation'  (due to dehydration, decreased intestinal motility)
 *  'hyperreactivity x attenuation CNS'  (hallucinations, depression, restless legs syndrome)
 *  'anorexia'  (TNFα cachectin), protein catabolism (negative N balance), hyperglycemia (increased glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis)
 *  'febrile convulsions'  - generalized tonic-clonic convulsions or impaired consciousness when the temperature rises, resolves spontaneously in a matter of minutes, affects children under 5 years of age.

Types of fever
Previously, fever type was a diagnostic feature. Today, with the use of ATB, corticoids, antipyretics are losing their original meaning.
 *  'Febris continua'  (continuous) - temperature still above 38 ° C, temperature differences during the day are less than 1 ° C; eg for typhoid.
 *  'Febris recurrens'  (return) - regular alternation of fever days with fever-free periods; eg return typhus.
 *  'Febris remittens'  (decreasing) - the temperature changes by more than 1 ° C during the day, the minimum values ​​do not fall to normal; eg rheumatic fever, severe infections.
 *  'Febris intermittens'  (alternating) - high fever alternates with normal temperature in one day; eg sepsis, pyelonephritis.
 *  'Febris undulans'  (wavy) - the temperature gradually rises, after a few days it reaches a maximum and falls, after a silent period a new wave follows; eg brucellosis.
 *  'Febris bifasica'  (two-phase) - fever has two peaks separated by a period with normal temperature; eg viral neuroinfections

Definition
Fever of unknown origin is a '' 'temperature above 38 ° C and lasting longer than 14 days. The cause is not clear '' 'despite careful history, physical examination and routine laboratory screening.