Pediatric Fever Guidelines

In pediatric guidelines, a fever is typically defined as a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, indicating the normal body temperature that is a response to an infection or illness.

To manage a pediatric fever, it's important to monitor the child's fever closely, keep them hydrated, and use age-appropriate antipyretics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen as recommended by healthcare guidelines, ensuring correct dosing based on the child's weight and age.

When children have a fever, precautions should include avoiding over-bundling to prevent overheating, monitoring for signs of serious illness such as difficulty breathing or extreme lethargy, and consulting a healthcare provider if the fever persists for more than 24 hours in a child under 2 or more than 72 hours in older children.