Antipyretic Efficacy of Intravenous Propacetamol in the Management of Fever for Children Less than 15 Years of Age in an Emergency Center

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Fever is one of the most common symptoms in children visiting the emergency department. When oral antipyretics use is limited, IV antipyretics may be necessary for control of fever. In this study, we examined the current status of use and antipyretic effect of propacetamol, a precursor of acetaminophen, in fever management for children of age younger than 15 in an emergency center. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 101 patients who were prescribed IV propacetamol from September 1st to December 31st in 2013. Among these patients, 59 children received propacetamol via intravenous injection for control of fever. We investigated variable data including age, sex, weight, chief complaint, reason for use of intravenous propacetamol, history of liver disease, and body temperature before the injection. In addition, to examine the antipyretic efficacy of IV propacetamol, we thoroughly investigated administration dose, number of injections, use of other antipyretics, other antipyretic therapy (ex. like tepid massage or ice bag), fever clearance time, etc. RESULTS: Intravenous propacetamol at a dose of 26.16 mg/kg was used in 59 patients and fever was controlled under 38degrees C within 2 hours in 39 patients (66.1%). Fever was relieved under 38degrees C within 4 hours or general condition was improved in 49 patients (83.0%). CONCLUSION: In this study, we examined the antipyretic efficacy of intravenous propacetamol in management of fever for children younger than 15 years of age in an emergency center. Optimized uses of intravenous propacetamol according to age and weight were effective for pediatric patients with fever who cannot swallow oral medications.