Evaluation of fever of unknown origin subacute presentation fever of unknown origin is not well defined in children and has been historically used to describe a subacute presentation of a single illness of at least 3 weeks duration during which a fever 38. Fever occurs when the bodys temperature is elevated as a result o. Studies in any language were included if they provided the diagnosis in a series of 10 or more children with fuo. Fever of unknown origin in children aged three months to fifteen. Infection is the most common cause of fever in children.
Fever of unknown origin fuo can be caused by many clinical conditions and remains a diagnostic challenge in clinical practice. Pediatricians often confuse fever without a source and fever of unknown origin. Fever of unknown origin fuo, refers to a condition in which the patient has an elevated temperature fever but despite investigations by a physician no. Fever of unknown origin in children world journal of pediatrics. After completing this article, readers should be able to. Assessment of fever in children approach bmj best practice. Fever is a common symptom of many clinical conditions, and infection is the most common cause, especially in children.
Approach to the adult patient with fever of unknown origin. Etiology and clinical characteristics of fever of unknown origin in. The definition of fuo in the pediatric age group varies, with a time frame ranging from weeks in the literature. The initial diagnostic approach of the fuo patient should include. Fever of unknown origin fuo is defined as the presence of fever in a child for eight or more days that a careful history and physical examination and prel. A fourstage investigative protocol for fuo is widely applied in clinical practice. The etiology of fuo varies markedly among different age groups, geographic areas, and seasons. A specific discussion of the common and uncommon entities causing fuo and the approach to children with fuo is presented separately. See etiologies of fever of unknown origin in adults and fever of unknown origin in children. Fever of unknown origin fuo in adults is defined as a temperature higher than 38.
Fever of unknown origin fuo refers to a prolonged febrile illness without an established etiology despite thorough evaluation. Fever of unknown origin fuo in children approach to. In previous studies, infectious disease was the most common cause of pediatric fever of. Pediatric fever of unknown origin american academy of. Adopt a systematic approach to evaluation and management of fever of unknown origin in patients of various ages.
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