0% found this document useful (0 votes)
113 views10 pages

Home Fever Management in Children: A Systematic Review

This systematic review examines parental physical cooling interventions for managing fever in children at home, highlighting that common methods such as sponging and cold compresses are often based on misconceptions and can be ineffective. The review analyzed ten studies involving 15,488 participants, revealing that while parents frequently utilize non-pharmacological methods, effective fever management should focus on hydration and a conducive environment rather than physical cooling techniques. The findings suggest that parents should seek medical advice when fever worsens, as many traditional practices may not be scientifically validated.

Uploaded by

IJPHS
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
113 views10 pages

Home Fever Management in Children: A Systematic Review

This systematic review examines parental physical cooling interventions for managing fever in children at home, highlighting that common methods such as sponging and cold compresses are often based on misconceptions and can be ineffective. The review analyzed ten studies involving 15,488 participants, revealing that while parents frequently utilize non-pharmacological methods, effective fever management should focus on hydration and a conducive environment rather than physical cooling techniques. The findings suggest that parents should seek medical advice when fever worsens, as many traditional practices may not be scientifically validated.

Uploaded by

IJPHS
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS)

Vol. 14, No. 1, March 2025, pp. 529~538


ISSN: 2252-8806, DOI: 10.11591/ijphs.v14i1.24554  529

Home fever management in children: a systematic review

Faiza Yuniati1,2, Erwin Erwin3, Sherli Shobur1, Septi Ardianty2, Sutrisno2


1
Department of Epidemiology Surveillance, Health Polytechnic of Palembang, Palembang, Indonesia
2
Muhammadiyah Palembang Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, Palembang, Indonesia
3
Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Banten, Indonesia

Article Info ABSTRACT


Article history: Fever is a prevalent illness among children. Physical cooling interventions
worsen the child’s condition as a result of parents’ anxiety and
Received Jan 30, 2024 misconceptions about fever. This study aims to identify parental physical
Revised Jun 6, 2024 cooling intervention as fever management for feverish children in the
Accepted Jul 30, 2024 scientific literature. The study adhered to the guidelines in the preferred
reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). The
investigations were conducted within scientific electronic databases:
Keywords: ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, Google Scholar, and Cochrane,
published in English, from January 2013 to August 2023. Authors screened
Children articles for inclusion. After exclusion, there were ten studies included in the
Fever analysis with 15,488 participants. The literature review demonstrated that
Home fever management the physical cooling methods employed for home fever management were
Non-pharmacological taking off excess clothes, providing extra fluid, warm compresses, sponging,
Physical cooling showering and environmental measures. Sponging techniques and cold
Systematic review compresses are popular among parents. However, the methods have negative
effects and are not recommended. Effective fever management optimizes the
body's physiological response by ensuring adequate hydration, nutrition, and
a conducive environment. When the fever worsens, parents should consider
seeking medical treatment.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license.

Corresponding Author:
Erwin Erwin
Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa
Banten, Indonesia
Email: [email protected]

1. INTRODUCTION
Fever is a prevalent symptom in pediatric healthcare facilities. According to epidemiological data,
fever is the most prevalent symptom and trigger for over 30% of all pediatric visits [1]. In primary health
care, the most common causes of fever are acute viral illnesses like upper respiratory infections and diarrhea.
These conditions are the most common cause of death worldwide, specifically in developing countries [2].
A study reported that more than 48.3% of children under five suffer from a fever or common cold
[3], and the prevalence of self-medication is 22.2% [4]. The most common cause of fever in children is
typically a self-limiting viral infection, and the majority of these ailments resolve on their own without the
need for extra medical attention [5]. Fever is a physiologic reaction to infection, constraining the proliferation
of bacteria and the replication of viruses and increasing the immune system’s response [6], [7], not a
life-threatening condition [7]–[9]. Given the evidence that fever is a positive phenomenon, fever reduction is
a common practice [10].
When the body temperature exceeds a particular point, fever could turn severe, cause cell damage,
and reduce oxygen release in tissues [11]. Fever increases metabolic rate and cardiopulmonary system
demands, which could trigger pulmonary, cardiac, or neurologic deterioration [12]. Furthermore, fever

Journal homepage: http://ijphs.iaescore.com


530  ISSN: 2252-8806

imposes a significant metabolic burden and generates severe headache, and discomfort [7], [13]. A prevalent
misconception among parents regarding fever is that it may lead to convulsions, brain damage, and death [7].
This may lead to anxiety and excessive handling actions from the parent.
The current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on fever management recommend the
use of an antipyretics for treating children with a temperature of 38.5 °C or higher, indicating a mild to
moderate increase that should not be suppressed consistently [14]. Equivalent to the findings of one study,
antipyretics should not be administered merely to reduce body temperature [9], [15]–[17]. Furthermore, the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a policy statement stating there is no evidence supporting the
use of antipyretics to lower fever in all febrile children [18]–[21].
Within a wide range of fever remedies, they are classified into two main categories: physical
remedies and pharmaceutical medications. Pharmacological treatments, including antipyretics, are commonly
practiced and have effects by reducing the synthesis of prostaglandin. It raises peripheral vasodilation along
with heat loss and also resets the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center to normal [22]. In most cases, even
taking alternate antipyretic regimens based on a lack of response to monotherapy and a medical indication
[7], [23]. Despite parents belief that the drugs may adversely affect the stomach, harm the kidneys, damage
the liver, inhibit the immune system, or trigger allergic responses, it remains essential to treat fever with
antipyretics [24]. In contrast, physical remedies including physical cooling, work differently than
antipyretics. It works by resolving the metabolically expensive effector mechanisms induced by the increased
set point [25]. Physical approaches are non-pharmacological intervention. It encompass a variety of methods
to provide heat loss through the processes of conduction, convection, and evaporation [26]–[28]. Basic
cooling strategies, such as the practice of removing clothing and blankets, applying a wet towel, or using a
fan, warm compresses, are employed to reach the target temperature [28], [29]. The lack of standardization of
non-pharmacological interventions in nurses’ clinical practice requires the implementation of the best
scientific evidence to administer non-pharmacological treatments for febrile children, reducing the length of
stay and enhancing the quality of healthcare and decision-making.
Every parent will encounter children with a fever. Many physical cooling methods are used based on
tradition, information from physicians, or health beliefs. This study addresses the widespread use by parents
of various non-pharmacological physical cooling methods to manage fever in children at home, often based
on misconceptions and without scientific validation.The integrative review is the proper method for
identifying parents’ interventions for feverish children. The majority of the research published was conducted
in secondary care settings, as fever is a symptom of a specific disease and is treated in a hospital or clinic
setting. In the meantime, publication of research findings related to home fever management remains
restricted. This study aims to identify an evidence-based population regarding physical cooling for home
fever management.

2. METHOD
2.1. Design
To compile the current knowledge on non-pharmacological physical cooling methods for fever
management at home, a thorough literature review was carried out. The preferred reporting items for
systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist for systematic reviews was followed in the
conduct of the review [30].

2.2. Search methods


Using a number of electronic databases, including ProQuest, Pubmed, SCOPUS, EBSCO, Google
Scholar, and Cochrane, an automated literature search covering the period from January 2013 to August 2023
was carried out. A wide range of pertinent subjects were covered by the search phrases used, such as
“physical cooling,” “non-pharmacological,” “fever,” “parents’ fever management,” “home management of
fever,” and “fever management in children.” Each term was searched for separately or in combination using
boolean operators. This study looks at how parents manage their child’s fever, focusing especially on
physical cooling methods. The selection of the studies for this literature review was achieved through a
thorough assessment of all the publications, which was preceded by a summary of the article titles, abstracts,
and keywords.

2.3. Inclusion criteria


All studies that met the following conditions were included in this review: i) Population: parents,
families, or individuals who deal with fevers at home; ii) Cross-sectional studies, case reports, surveys,
quantitative and qualitative studies, and mixed methods; iii) Population-based studies, reported result data on

Int J Public Health Sci, Vol. 14, No. 1, March 2025: 529-538
Int J Public Health Sci ISSN: 2252-8806  531

physical cooling for home fever management. iv) The study focused on mild fevers and manageable at home;
and v) Studies that were published between January 2013 and August 12, 2023, and written in English.

2.4. Exclusion criteria


Every study that met even one of the subsequent criteria for exclusion was eliminated: clinical
studies (basic research and lab medicine), reports, book sections, letters to the editor, editorials, systematic
reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and studies with unclear methodology were all
excluded. The research on high fever resulting from a verified illness was omitted. To locate any prospective
publications that might have gone unnoticed, a thorough investigation was conducted.

2.5. Data synthesis


Selected studies were reviewed by the researchers. For review, the principal author gathered
pertinent data and organized it into Microsoft Excel tables. Two additional reviewers confirmed the accuracy
of the abstracted data. After comparing and contrasting every article in response to the study question,
categories started to take shape. The information that was taken out included how parents identify a fever in
their child, where a thermometer should be placed, how medication is used, and above all the kinds of
physical cooling methods that studies have consistently shown to be effective in lowering fever. The
following data were tabulated from the studies meeting the inclusion criteria: author names and year of
publication; number of participants; study design; data analysis; and key results as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Study inclusion

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION


The body of literature comprised a total of ten studies [5], [24], [31]–[38] were published between
January 1, 2013 and August 11, 2023 in the English language. Turkey, Sudan, Australia, Malaysia, Istanbul,
Egypt, India, Germany, Qatar and Saudi Arabia were the countries of publication. The participants in the
present study consisted of 15,488 as shown in Table 1. The studies were classified according to evidence levels
and provided insights into the non-pharmacological practices employed by parents for managing fever at home.
The literature regarding parents’ non-pharmacological practices for managing fever at home remains
limited. The analyzed studies indicate that fever is defined as a child’s temperature above 38 °C. Parents can
detect fever by using a thermometer to measure their child's temperature. However, some only touch the
forehead or other parts of the body’s surface. Rectal is the optimal site to take a temperature for children
under three years old, and oral or axilla for children above three years old. Home remedies for managing
fever include removing heavy clothes and giving the child light ones, in spite of putting on blankets and

Home fever management in children: a systematic review (Faiza Yuniati)


532  ISSN: 2252-8806

cotton clothes to keep the child warm. Providing extra fluids and checking the child’s body temperature
regularly every 15-30 minutes, and controlling the environmental temperature are other practical efforts.
Administering antipyretics is believed to be the right way to reduce fever [31], [39].

Table 1. Characteristics and main findings


Source Country No. of Age (years) Study design Data analysis Key results
participant
[5] Turkey 320 mothers 33-39 years Descriptive Chi-squared, When children (1-5 years) experienced fever, mothers usually
old and ANOVA took off their clothes and administered antipyretics. The
correlational child’s armpit temp. was taken every 15 minutes for fever.
test Giving compresses with warm and cold water, rubbing with
vinegar and water, and showering.
[31] Sudan 332 mothers <20 up to Descriptive, Descriptive Physical methods, along with antipyretics, are employed in
49 years community- analysis home management. The most common approach is to apply
old based study cold water for tepid sponging. The compress sites are on the
head, entire body, groyne area, and axilla. Other home
remedies include extra fluids, bathing, and light clothing.
[32] Australia 12,179 34-39 years Cross‐ Chi‐square, Parents were aware that a fever is defined as a temperature
parents old sectional linear higher than 38°C. The use of cool or tepid sponges, putting
survey regression kids in cool or tepid baths, and alternating between two or
more medicines to lower the temperature were all non-
evidence-based temperature reduction techniques. The
belief that “it is important to be able to measure
temperature” and fever management practices, such as
applying a tepid or cool sponge and alternating two or more
medicines to reduce fever,” have made major contributions
to lowering fever.
[33] Malaysia 430 parents 35-42 years Cross‐ Logistic Using antipyretics, cold sponges, and homoeopathic ways to
old sectional, a regression lower the temperature if there are no other symptoms
community- analysis was Parents could tell if a child had a fever by taking a
based survey temperature in the ear and axilla and by touching the kid.
Antipyretic administered when the temperature was over
38.5.
[34] Istanbul 342 mothers <30, >30 Cross- Chi square Mothers noticed fever by touching their children, while
years old sectional test, ANOVA others recognized it in their appearance. checking the
analytical child’s temperature every 15 minutes. Taking the child’s
study clothes off, administering an antipyretic syrup or
suppository, giving the child a warm shower, applying heat,
wiping the child’s body with vinegar, and then
administering antibiotics were the mother’s initial actions
for fever.
[35] Egypt 294 mothers ≤30, >30 A cross- Spearman’s Mothers diagnose fever by forehead touch or thermometer,
years old sectional study correlation visit a doctor or health care facility, and measure
test, Ordinal temperature properly for children under five years old.
regression Mother properly identified the optimal site for measuring
analysis children under five's temperature as rectal for under three
and oral or axillary for four to five. Alternative treatments,
such as lukewarm water compresses, enhance outcomes.
[36] India 65 parents >18 years Cross- descriptive Most parents gave the children extra fluids and lowered the
old sectional and room temperature to bring down a fever. Additionally, they
inferential checked the temperature often. Parents gave their child cold
statistics compression by soaking a cotton cloth in lukewarm water.
They also utilized blanket and cotton clothes in order to
keep their child warm.
[37] Germany 481 parents >20 years A cross- A multiple When determining the existence of fever, parents typically
old sectional study linear measure the child’s temperature in the rectum or the ear and
regression define fever as temperatures above 38oC. Calf wraps were
the most commonly employed method, aside from forehead
compresses and the use of damp cloths.
[24] Qatar 400 parents >15 years A survey- Pearson chi- Instead of simply feeling the child's forehead, parents
old based, cross- square test typically use a thermometer to figure out whether the child
sectional study has a fever. Parents believe that children with fever need
antipyretics, and they apply natural remedies like cold
sponges.
[38] Saudi 645 parents 25-33 years A cross- Descriptive Most children’s temperatures were taken in the armpit with
Arabia old sectional study statistics an electronic thermometer. Fever was defined as 38°C, and
using an parents employed cold sponges, ice packs, and warm
online sponges. The proper antipyretic depends on the doctor’s
questionnaire guidance.

Int J Public Health Sci, Vol. 14, No. 1, March 2025: 529-538
Int J Public Health Sci ISSN: 2252-8806  533

Six categories were established in accordance with the physical cooling methods employed for
reducing children’s fever in the reviewed articles: taking off excess, extra fluid, warm compresses; sponging;
showering; environmental measures. The clinical management of fever in children exhibits a wide range of
approaches, notably in the field of non-pharmacological care. These practices, however, demonstrate
inconsistencies that might be attributed to variations in previous experiences. Considering fever may lead to
major problems in children, like febrile seizures, this illness is thought to be self-manageable and can be
treated at home with nonpharmacological or pharmacological medication.
In pediatric practice, normal body temperature ranges include neonates 36.1-37.7 °C, two year olds
37.2 °C, and 12 year olds 37 °C [40]. The majority of parents determine their child’s body temperature by tactile
measurement [24], [33]–[35], only a few use thermometer [24], [35] and measure temperature on forehead, ear
[33], [37], armpit [33], [38] or rectum [37], and also most of them use non-prescription antipyretics [12], [24],
[32], [34]. Families that have thermometers regularly control their feverish children every 15-30 minutes [5],
[34], [36]. Tactile temperature measurement is practical, but it is not precise. Parents will need a thermometer at
home to measure the temperature before administering medication [32], [41].
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence suggests utilizing an electronic thermometer
and an appropriate site to check a child’s body temperature in the armpit [31], especially for children between
one month and five years old [42]. Although antipyretics remain the foundation of fever treatment according
to the doctor’s prescription [24], [31], [33], [38], physical cooling measures are also applied. The following
represent six of the non-pharmacological body cooling methods reviewed in the literature.

3.1. Taking off excess clothes


Removing excess clothing and changing the child's clothes, sheets, and blanket to thin and light
materials is the first action that parents take after knowing about the feverish child [5], [31], [34]. Taking off
clothes is an effective method to lower the temperature through evaporation and convection. Theoretically,
this might contribute by decreasing peripheral vasoconstriction and thereby allowing heat to be lost more
effectively [43], [44].

3.2. Extra fluid


Children lose a lot of water due to fever. Dehydration may occur when a fever persists for an
extended period of time. Therefore, parents should encourage their children to consume more water. The
reviewed article examines the practice of parents providing more fluid intake for feverish children [31], [36].
Despite encountering challenges related to a lack of appetite, which frequently ends in episodes of vomiting.
Fever imposes metabolic demands, which leads to water loss. Dehydration will occur if parents do
not provide oral rehydration with adequate fluid solutions. Dehydration affects the hemodynamics of blood
circulation and may alter the electrolyte and acid-base balance that necessary for healthy cells and tissues
[15], [45]. In accordance with established guidelines on fever management, it is highlighted that ensuring
sufficient hydration and nutrition is of the utmost priority in the management of febrile children. Instead of
emphasizing the temperature reduction [1], [14].

3.3. Warm compresses


The most widely used of physical cooling is warm compresses [5], [31], [34], [37], [38]. A pilot
randomized clinical study used warm compresses at water temperatures ranging between 34 and 37 °C (93.2
and 98.6 °F). For 15 minutes, the child was not dressed or covered in the forehead, axillary, or inguinal areas
[28], [31]. Warm compresses raise body temperature, enabling the hypothalamus to control it. This widens
peripheral blood vessels and causes vasodilation, letting the body release heat and preventing shivering [28].
Research indicates that the application of warm compresses has been found to be effective in
lowering the level of fever in pediatric patients experiencing pyrexia [46]. When used in combination with
antipyretics, case studies reveal that warm compresses significantly reduce fever among children [47], [48].
In general, the use of warm compresses is still debatable. Empirical studies showed warm sponging resulted
in a significant decrease in body temperature within 15 to 30 minutes. But after 60 minutes, it was no more
significant, as the temperature elevated and the fever recurred [27], [48].

3.4. Sponging
The sponging technique, identical to the application of a warm compress, increases heat loss through
the mechanisms of conduction, convection, and evaporation [28]. Lots of researchers consider that
“sponging” is identical to “warm compressing,” but there are distinctions. In the context of “sponging,” the
warm water is rubbed gently on both the upper and lower regions of the body, from the neck to the toes [28],
[44]. A study found that cooling people by soaking their skin and blowing warm air across their bodies
reduced their mean rectal temperature by 0.071 °C/min [49]. On the other hand, the efficacy of cold
compresses remains controversial. A case series demonstrate that immersion in iced water can reduce a body
Home fever management in children: a systematic review (Faiza Yuniati)
534  ISSN: 2252-8806

to less than 38.9 °C in less than 45 minutes [43]. Another finding states that sponging had been demonstrated
to be effective only in the short term but had no long-term benefit beyond two hours [22]. However, this
method may induce peripheral vasoconstriction, which inhibits the cooling process. Despite the absence of
experimental evidence to the contrary [50].
Sponging is most commonly practiced using tap water or lukewarm water [24], [35], [36], [38]. This
approach is nevertheless also employed for cold compresses. Considering the cold compress method as a
physical cooling technique persists to be controversial regarding its effectiveness. Yet, parents tend to use
this approach [31], [32]. Cold sponging for physical methods of lowering the temperature are no longer
advised, as they provide little benefit and may even make the situation worse. children feel shivering, chills,
goosebumps, irritable and crying [22], [51].
Sponging with cold water may induce peripheral cooling, but blood vessel constriction may result in
heat preservation [5]. Exposure to cold water was the only remedy leading to significant shivering, and it was
not even helping the body decrease temperature at the best rate. Even shivering carried on for as long as an
hour after soaking [52]. Shivering is considered a discomfort in the provision of cold compresses [28], [53],
despite the fact that it can generate even more heat, higher metabolic demand, marginal cerebrovascular and
cardiac supply, and rebound hypothermia [28].

3.5. Showering
Showering is defined differently according to the methodology of each study. Bathe by showering
water all over the body, or bathe just a part of the body. Bathing with warm water is a frequently used
treatment for the purpose of physical cooling [5], [31], [32], [37]. As in a quasi-experimental study proving
that warm water foot bath therapy is beneficial in lowering body temperature in febrile children [47]. Warm
water foot bath therapy stimulates the blood vessels to enlarge, enhancing blood flow, releasing heat through
perspiration, and supplying oxygen to the brain cells [47], [54].
Showering reduces the core temperature temporarily but does not affect the thermoregulatory set
point; when out of the water, the child or infant may suffer a quick temperature rebound, raising the
probability of a febrile seizure [7]. A warm bath, about 38 to 40 °C [47], will help to enlarge the sweat glands,
eliminate sweat odor, and provide freshness and comfort [46]. According to a study, when people’s skin was
wetted and exposed to constant sprays of water without forced air, the temperatures dropped at a rate of
0.068 °C per minute. This technique is somewhat similar to the showering-physical cooling technique [49].

3.6. Environmental measures


The ventilation strategies used were window opening and fan use [36]. The use of fans to cool the
surrounding environment was considered valuable, as long as patients had no tremors and the central
temperature did not increase [44]. This cooling method is based on the concept of evaporation. According to
a study, the implementation of environmental temperature conditioning has been observed to result in a
decrease in body temperature. A study was conducted to investigate the effect of wetting the participants’
skin surface and exposing it to an ambient temperature of 21 °C on their body temperature. The findings
revealed a reduction in body temperature at a rate of 0.061 °C per minute. In a tropical climate, it is possible
to achieve a low environmental temperature by using air conditioning systems. On the other hand, patients’
body temperatures were lowered by wetting the skin and exposed to an ambient temperature of 33.9 °C. This
resulted in a gradual decrease in body temperature, specifically at a rate of 0.020 °C per minute. The decline
in body temperature is more significant at low ambient temperatures than at high ambient temperatures [49].
Regarding health services, nurses have a particular role in caring for fever and frequently apply
non-pharmacological remedies based on personal beliefs and practical experience rather than scientific
evidence [28]. Non-evidence-based physical cooling methods are no longer recommended due to discomfort.
Alternating and combining antipyretics may be effective, but evidence for comfort improvements is
inconclusive and not recommended in management guidelines [32].
Prior research has extensively explored non-pharmacological methods of managing fever in
children, focusing on practices such as removing excess clothing, providing extra fluids, and using various
physical cooling methods like warm compresses, sponging, and environmental measures. The current review
suggests that warm compresses, particularly when combined with antipyretics, can effectively reduce fever in
children. However, the overall effectiveness remains debatable due to the temporary nature of the
temperature reduction. The review compared the performance of various physical cooling methods, noting
that while techniques like sponging and warm baths provide temporary relief, they do not address the
underlying thermoregulatory mechanisms, leading to quick temperature rebounds. The study highlighted
widespread parental misconceptions about fever management, such as the belief that physical cooling
methods are universally effective. This underscores the need for better education and standardized guidelines
to help parents manage fever more effectively at home. By comparing various methods and their

Int J Public Health Sci, Vol. 14, No. 1, March 2025: 529-538
Int J Public Health Sci ISSN: 2252-8806  535

effectiveness, the study provides valuable insights for clinicians and policymakers to develop evidence-based
guidelines that can help reduce the reliance on potentially ineffective or harmful practices.
It is essential to educate the community concerning how to treat fever at home, particularly for those
with inadequate health literacy. Simple non-pharmacological practices, particularly before administering
antipyretics and visiting a health professional [55]. It is important to ensure the availability of specific
information on non-pharmacological fever practice at home and in a language that is easy to understand.
Clear and accessible sources of information can offer guidance to parents in effectively managing low-grade
fever and reducing the need for visits to healthcare facilities.

3.7. Strength and limitation of the study


The reviewed articles involve large-scale population-based survey research. This study provides
population-based evidence regarding parents’ experiences managing feverish children at home. This review
follows the proper procedures for systematic reviews. The articles reviewed were population-based survey
studies and provided limited information about the actual physical cooling techniques employed. The
selected articles were all original research, written in English, and published from 2013 to 2023. Due to
searching only full-text publications, data extraction may have a selection bias.

4. CONCLUSION
The application of physical cooling for managing feverish children is still debatable, particularly in
the context of the discomfort-inducing effects of warm compresses and sponging. Instead of employing
physical cooling interventions to lower fever, fever management must focus on enhancing the physiological
response, which includes providing fluids, nutrition, and a comfortable environment. While previous research
laid the groundwork for understanding non-pharmacological fever management, this study advances the field
by offering a comprehensive review and comparison of various methods, emphasizing the need for
standardized, evidence-based practices.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author(s) disclosed the receipt of the following financial support: for the research, and/or
publication of this article. The study was supported by the Palembang Health Polytechnique, Ministry of
Health (Grant Number HK.02.03/I.1/2058/2023).

REFERENCES
[1] E. Chiappini, B. Bortone, L. Galli, and M. De Martino, “Guidelines for the symptomatic management of fever in children:
Systematic review of the literature and quality appraisal with AGREE II,” BMJ Open, vol. 7, no. 7, pp. 1–10, 2017, doi:
10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015404.
[2] A. Rahman and M. M. Hossain, “Prevalence and determinants of fever, ARI and diarrhea among children aged 6-59 months in
Bangladesh,” BMC Pediatrics, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 1–13, 2022, doi: 10.1186/s12887-022-03166-9.
[3] M. A. J. Sujan et al., “Pattern of morbidities of under-5 year children and health seeking behaviour of their mother in rural
community of Bangladesh,” International Journal of Perceptions in Public Health, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 88–93, 2018, doi:
10.29251/ijpph.201835.
[4] E. da S. Pons, T. da S. D. Pizzol, D. R. Knauth, and S. S. Mengue, “Self-medication in children aged 0-12 years in Brazil: a
population-based study,” Revista paulista de pediatria : orgao oficial da Sociedade de Pediatria de Sao Paulo, vol. 42, 2023, doi:
10.1590/1984-0462/2024/42/2022137.
[5] M. K. Gulcan and N. C. Sahiner, “Determining the fever-related knowledge and practices of mothers with children aged 1-5 years
presenting to a child emergency service with fever complaints in Turkiye,” Journal of Pediatric Nursing, vol. 69, pp. 13–20,
2023, doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.11.024.
[6] T. Çelik and Y. Güzel, “Parents’ knowledge and management of fever: ‘Parents versus fever!,’” Turkish Archives of Pediatrics,
vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 179–184, 2024, doi: 10.5152/TurkArchPediatr.2024.23152.
[7] A. K. Howard and J. A. Morgan, “Managing fevers in otherwise healthy children,” U.S. Pharmacist, vol. 44, no. 5, pp. 22–25,
2019.
[8] W. F. Wright and P. G. Auwaerter, “Fever and fever of unknown origin: Review, recent advances, and lingering dogma,” Open
Forum Infectious Diseases, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 1–12, 2020, doi: 10.1093/OFID/OFAA132.
[9] R. Green et al., “Management of acute fever in children: Consensus recommendations for community and primary healthcare
providers in sub-Saharan Africa,” African Journal of Emergency Medicine, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 283–296, 2021, doi:
10.1016/j.afjem.2020.11.004.
[10] F. Sakr et al., “Fever among preschool-aged children: A cross-sectional study assessing Lebanese parents’ knowledge, attitudes
and practices regarding paediatric fever assessment and management,” BMJ Open, vol. 12, no. 10, 2022, doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-
2022-063013.
[11] Y. T. Dai and S. H. Lu, “What’s missing for evidence-based fever management? Is fever beneficial or harmful to humans?,”
International Journal of Nursing Studies, vol. 49, no. 5, pp. 505–507, 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2011.11.006.
[12] G. Edwards, S. Fleming, J. Y. Verbakel, A. van den Bruel, and G. Hayward, “Accuracy of parents’ subjective assessment of
paediatric fever with thermometer measured fever in a primary care setting,” BMC Primary Care, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 1–5, 2022,
doi: 10.1186/s12875-022-01638-6.

Home fever management in children: a systematic review (Faiza Yuniati)


536  ISSN: 2252-8806

[13] S. Mahesh, E. Van Der Werf, M. Mallappa, G. Vithoulkas, and N. M. Lai, “Fever and the ageing immune system, a review,”
International Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 113–120, 2023, doi:
10.53811/ijtcmr.1330957.
[14] World Health Organization, Integrated management of childhood illness-Chart booklet. 2014.
[15] E. Purssell, “Antipyretic use in children: More than just temperature,” Jornal de Pediatria, vol. 89, no. 1, pp. 1–3, 2013, doi:
10.1016/j.jped.2013.02.001.
[16] S. P. Paul, J. Mayhew, and A. Mee, “Safe management and prescribing for fever in children,” Nurse Prescribing, vol. 9, no. 11,
pp. 539–544, 2011, doi: 10.12968/npre.2011.9.11.539.
[17] M. T. Ghozali, B. Hidayaturrohim, and I. D. A. Islamy, “Improving patient knowledge on rational use of antibiotics using
educational videos,” International Journal of Public Health Science, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 41–47, 2023, doi:
10.11591/ijphs.v12i1.21846.
[18] J. E. Sullivan and H. C. Farrar, “Fever and antipyretic use in children,” Pediatrics, vol. 127, no. 3, pp. 580–587, 2011, doi:
10.1542/peds.2010-3852.
[19] R. Gelernter et al., “Fever response to ibuprofen in viral and bacterial childhood infections,” American Journal of Emergency
Medicine, vol. 46, pp. 591–594, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2020.11.036.
[20] E. B. Walter et al., “The effect of antipyretics on immune response and fever following receipt of inactivated influenza vaccine in
young children,” Vaccine, vol. 35, no. 48, pp. 6664–6671, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.10.020.
[21] A. M. Chung, “An evaluation of community pharmacy recommendations regarding alternating antipyretics in children,” Journal
of the American Pharmacists Association, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 368–373, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2018.06.015.
[22] S. Akyirem and I. F. Bossman, “Is tepid sponging more effective than paracetamol at relieving fever in febrile children in hot
tropical climates? a mini review,” Ghana Medical Journal, vol. 55, no. 1, pp. 60–68, 2021, doi: 10.4314/GMJ.V55I1.9.
[23] G. L. Pereira, N. U. L. Tavares, S. S. Mengue, and T. Da S. Dal Pizzol, “Therapeutic procedures and use of alternating antipyretic
drugs for fever management in children,” Jornal de Pediatria, vol. 89, no. 1, pp. 25–32, 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.jped.2013.02.005.
[24] R. Elajez, “Parents’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding fever in children: A cross-sectional study in Qatar,” Academic
Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatology, vol. 10, no. 3, 2021, doi: 10.19080/ajpn.2021.10.555842.
[25] K. B. Chetak, P. S. Gowri, and M. D. Ravi, “Effectiveness of antipyretic with tepid sponging versus antipyretic alone in febrile
children: A randomized controlled trial,” Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 129–133, 2017, doi:
10.3126/jnps.v37i2.16879.
[26] S. T. G. Respati, Murniati, and N. Y. Triana, “Warm compress to overcome hyperthermia: A case study,” Genius Journal, vol. 3,
no. 2, pp. 131–138, 2022, doi: 10.56359/gj.v3i2.106.
[27] R. A. H. Puspitasari, D. Handayani, A. D. Nastiti, and E. Kusuma, “Effect of tepid sponge on changes in body temperatur in
children,” Indonesian Journal of Community Health Nursing, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 11–17, 2022, doi: 10.20473/ijchn.v7i1.37986.
[28] M. V. de Souza, D. M. de Souza, E. B. C. Damião, S. M. M. Buchhorn, L. M. Rossato, and M. de G. Salvetti, “Effectiveness of
warm compresses in reducing the temperature of febrile children: A pilot randomized clinical trial,” Revista da Escola de
Enfermagem da USP, vol. 56, 2022, doi: 10.1590/1980-220x-reeusp-2022-0168en.
[29] C. Raak, W. Scharbrodt, B. Berger, K. Boehm, and D. Martin, “The use of calf compresses for gentle fever reduction-What do we
know? A scoping review,” Collegian, vol. 29, no. 5, pp. 598–611, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.colegn.2022.01.010.
[30] D. Moher et al., “Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement,” PLoS Medicine,
vol. 6, no. 7, 2009, doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097.
[31] H. M. E Mukhtar, M. K. Elnimeiri, and H. M. E. Mukhtar, “Original article physical methods used by Sudanese mothers in rural
settings to manage a child with fever,” Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 59–64, 2014.
[32] K. M. Wilson, S. A. Beggs, G. R. Zosky, L. R. Bereznicki, and B. J. Bereznicki, “Parental knowledge, beliefs and management of
childhood fever in Australia: A nationwide survey,” Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, vol. 44, no. 5, pp. 768–774,
2019, doi: 10.1111/jcpt.13000.
[33] Y. H. Hew, A. Q. Blebil, J. A. Dujaili, and T. M. Khan, “Assessment of knowledge and practices of parents regarding childhood
fever management in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” Drugs and Therapy Perspectives, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 29–35, 2019, doi:
10.1007/s40267-018-0564-5.
[34] T. Yazıcı and R. Kutlu, “Evaluation of fever management and rational drug use in mothers of children under the age of five,”
Journal of Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, vol. 85, no. 3, pp. 404–415, 2022, doi: 10.26650/IUITFD.1000301.
[35] E. H. Waly and H. M. Bakry, “Assessment of Egyptian mothers’ knowledge and domestic management practices of fever in
Preschool Children in Zagazig City, Sharkia Governorate,” Children, vol. 9, no. 3, 2022, doi: 10.3390/children9030349.
[36] K. Navitha, M. R. Lobo, and J. Umarani, “A study to assess the knowledge and practice of parents regarding home management
of minor ailments in children visiting Tertiary Care Hospital Mangaluru,” Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU, vol. 14,
no. 02, pp. 253–259, 2024, doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1770071.
[37] S. H. Kerdar, C. Himbert, D. D. Martin, and E. Jenetzky, “Cross-sectional study of parental knowledge, behaviour and anxiety in
management of paediatric fever among German parents,” BMJ Open, vol. 11, no. 10, pp. 1–10, 2021, doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-
2021-054742.
[38] M. N. Al Arifi and A. Alwhaibi, “Assessment of saudi parents’ beliefs and behaviors towards management of child fever in saudi
arabia-a cross-sectional study,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 18, no. 10, 2021, doi:
10.3390/ijerph18105217.
[39] A. Jodiya, P. Annamalai, A. M. Joseph, L. S. Umesha, J. Sebastian, and M. D. Ravi, “Assessment of antipyretics usage in
pediatric inpatients,” Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Nursing, vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 287–298, 2022, doi:
10.1080/24694193.2021.1957042.
[40] N. Schellack and G. Schellack, “An overview of the management of fever and its possible complications in infants and toddlers,”
SA Pharmaceutical Journal, vol. 85, no. 1, pp. 26–33, 2018.
[41] P. Sothinathan and R. Kumar, “A study on parental perspectives towards childhood fever,” International Journal of
Contemporary Pediatrics, vol. 7, no. 1, 2019, doi: 10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20195743.
[42] NICE guidelines, “Fever in under 5s: assessment and initial management Clinical guideline,” 2013.
[43] G. R. Hart, R. J. Anderson, C. P. Crumpler, A. Shulkin, G. Reed, and J. P. Knochel, “Epidemic classical heat stroke: Clinical
characteristics and course of 28 patients,” Medicine (United States), vol. 61, no. 3, pp. 189–197, 1982, doi: 10.1097/00005792-
198205000-00005.
[44] M. V. de Souza, E. B. C. Damião, S. M. M. Buchhorn, and L. M. Rossato, “Non-pharmacological fever and hyperthermia
management in children: An integrative review,” ACTA Paulista de Enfermagem, vol. 34, pp. 1–10, 2021, doi: 10.37689/acta-
ape/2021AR00743.

Int J Public Health Sci, Vol. 14, No. 1, March 2025: 529-538
Int J Public Health Sci ISSN: 2252-8806  537

[45] S. S. Dhareshwar, “Dehydration,” Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition (Fourth Edition), pp. 216–226, 2023, doi:
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821848-8.00027-5 Encyclopedia.
[46] C. Pavithra, “Effect of Tepid Vs Warm sponging on body temperature and comfort among children with Pyrexia at Sri
Ramakrishna hospital, Coimbatore,” International Journal of Sciences and Applied Research, vol. 5, no. 6, 2018.
[47] K. Prasanna and N. Jyothsna, “Effect of warm water foot bath therapy on body temperature among children with fever,”
International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 1–7, 2023, doi: 10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i04.6002.
[48] A. K. D. Karra, M. A. Anas, M. A. Hafid, and R. Rahim, “The difference between the conventional warm compress and tepid
sponge technique warm compress in the body temperature changes of pediatric patients with typhoid fever,” Jurnal Ners, vol. 14,
no. 3, pp. 321–326, 2019, doi: 10.20473/jn.v14i3(si).17173.
[49] C. H. Wyndham et al., “Methods of cooling subjects with hyperpyrexia,” Journal of applied physiology, vol. 14, pp. 771–776,
1959, doi: 10.1152/jappl.1959.14.5.771.
[50] J. E. Smith, “Cooling methods used in the treatment of exertional heat illness,” British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 39, no. 8,
pp. 503–507, 2005, doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2004.013466.
[51] C. Green, H. Krafft, G. Guyatt, and D. Martin, “Symptomatic fever management in children: A systematic review of national and
international guidelines,” PLoS ONE, vol. 16, pp. 1–25, 2021, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245815.
[52] D. M. G. Hurrie et al., “Comparison of electric resistive heating pads and forced-air warming for pre-hospital warming of non-
shivering hypothermic subjects,” Military Medicine, vol. 185, no. 1–2, pp. 154–161, 2020, doi: 10.1093/milmed/usz164.
[53] A. M. J. van Ooijen, W. D. van M. Lichtenbelt, A. A. van Steenhoven, and K. R. Westerterp, “Cold-induced heat production
preceding shivering,” British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 93, no. 3, pp. 387–391, 2005, doi: 10.1079/bjn20041362.
[54] J. Jose, K. Mony, N. A. S. Shenai, J. P. Jose, and G. Baby, “Effect of tepid sponging versus warm sponging on body temperature
and comfort among under-five children with pyrexia,” Indian Journal of Pediatrics, vol. 89, no. 5, 2022, doi: 10.1007/s12098-
021-03985-1.
[55] W. T. Bong and C. E. Tan, “Knowledge and concerns of parents regarding childhood fever at a public health clinic in Kuching,
East Malaysia,” Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, vol. 6, no. 10, pp. 1928–1933, 2018, doi:
10.3889/oamjms.2018.339.

BIOGRAPHIES OF AUTHORS

Faiza Yuniati she is a lecturer with expertise in health studies, nursing,


biostatistics, and public health. She has been written articles on the quality of life among
working-age people and the health of the elderly. Her research involves developing devices
that reduce fevers, and it has to do with children health. She can be contacted at email:
[email protected].

Erwin Erwin is a Asistant Professor at Mechanical Engineering Univarsitas


Sutan Ageng Tirtayasa, also as a head of Renewable Energy Design in Universitas Sultan
Ageng Tirtayasa. His main research at mechanical design, medical devices, food processng,
and renewable energy in wind tunnel and gasification of biomass, has several patent in medical
device, mechanical and food processing. He can be contacted at email: [email protected].

Sherly Shobur is a professional lecturer who has served at an institution under


the auspices of the Ministry of Health, Health Polytechnic since 2001. As a lecturer who is
required not only to provide guidance and teaching, the author is also active as a researcher in
her field of expertise. She can be contacted at email: [email protected].

Home fever management in children: a systematic review (Faiza Yuniati)


538  ISSN: 2252-8806

Septi Ardianty she is a special nursing lecturer in the community nursing


department, have clinical experience in hospitals abroad in Saudi Arabia. She also a researcher
and dedicate my research results to society. She is a lecturer at the Institute of Health Sciences
and Technology, Muhammadiyah Palembang. She can be contacted at email
[email protected].

Sutrisno he is a community nursing specialist, lecturer and researcher. My project


to develops individual (older people/elderly), family and community-based nursing care
processes through the “LIGA TENSI” nursing innovation which is integrated with
developments in information technology in practice based on nursing science theory of other
people/elderly and information technology (Gerontechnology). He can be contacted at email:
[email protected].

Int J Public Health Sci, Vol. 14, No. 1, March 2025: 529-538

You might also like