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What is prolonged fever in children?
The definition of prolonged fever in children is not clearly defined. In adults pro
longed fever is defined as longer than 3 weeks of temperature of above 38 degrees centigrade outside the hospital. If the fever is longer than 7 days while in the hospital, it is considered as prolonged fever.
Some pediatricians define prolonged fever in children as longer than 8 days if there are no findings pointing to any source of the fever or infection.
With viral infection as seen in common colds, fever varies from 2 to 5 days. About 20% of children with Influenza A viral infection has fever that could last 7 days or more.
There are many causes of prolonged fever in children. The most common serious conditions are: Kawasaki disease, Sepsis, Pylonephritis, Osteomylitis, Cancer, Vasculitis, and other bacterial infections.
Some of the blood tests that are commonly used to pin-point the cause of prolonged fever are: CBC, ESR, Blood culture, Cat Scratch Titer, Mono Spot, Chest x-ray, Bone scan, bone biopsy with culture, stool and urine culture.
With good detective work and patience, most children with prolonged fever will have a diagnosis and treatment.
Leo Leonidas, MD, FAAP
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