An analysis of 238 neonates with long duration fever / 中国新生儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the etiologies of long duration fever in neonates and to provide clinical evidence for early diagnosis and intervention. Methods From January 1st, 2004 to December 31st, 2013, data from neonates admitted to the Department of Neonatology, Childrenˊ s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among 238 neonates with long duration fever, 165 cases were male and 73 female. Pneumonia(n = 196), skin / mucosa infection (n =67), sepsis (n = 46), meningitis/ encephalitis (n = 25) and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (n = 24) were the most common etiologies. Diabetes insipidus was the only noninfectious cause of fever in this study. The incidence of high fever in cases diagnosed with meningitis/ encephalitis, sepsis, diabetes insipidus, immunodeficiency or urinary tract infection were significantly higher than other causes (P <0. 05) . Continuous fever or other special fever types were more common in cases diagnosed with pneumonia ( χ2 = 4. 581, P = 0. 032 ) . Incidences of sepsis, infectious diarrhea or meningitis/encephalitis in late neonates were significantly higher than early neonates ( P < 0. 05 ) . Conclusions Long duration fever in neonates is most likely caused by infectious diseases and diabetes insipidus is the only noninfectious cause of neonatal fever in our study.