Parents’ knowledge and attitudes regarding fever management and antipyretic use in children presenting to the pediatric emergency department with fever complaints

INTRODUCTION: Fever is one of the most common symptoms in childhood and a major reason for pediatric emergency department visits. Despite being a natural defense mechanism, misconceptions and heightened anxiety among parents may lead to unnecessary healthcare utilization and inappropriate interventions. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes of parents of children aged 6 months to 6 years regarding fever management and the use of antipyretic medications.
METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted with 322 parents who presented to the pediatric emergency department of a university hospital with their children because of fever complaints. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire developed by the researcher. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 21.0, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, and the significance level was set at p<0.05.
RESULTS: The mean age of the children was 2.7±1.49 years, and 57.6% were girls. Nearly all parents (97.2%) measured their child’s body temperature when fever was suspected, with 73.6% preferring a digital axillary thermometer. Although 93.5% of parents reported knowing the normal temperature range, 24.2% identified values below 37°C as fever. In cases of high fever, 75.8% of parents removed the child’s clothing, 58.7% gave the child a lukewarm bath, and 58.7% administered an antipyretic. Paracetamol was the most commonly used antipyretic (57.5%), but only 47.8% of parents reported being aware of medication side effects. A significant association was found between a child’s history of febrile illness and the parents’ practice of recording temperature measurements (p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although parents’ practices regarding temperature measurement and antipyretic use were generally appropriate, misconceptions about fever thresholds and nonevidence-based practices, such as wiping the child with vinegar, persist. The high level of anxiety related to fever complications indicates the persistence of “fever phobia.” These findings highlight the need for structured, guideline-based education programs for parents, which may reduce inappropriate practices and unnecessary healthcare visits.

Keywords: Antipyretic use, child, fever, nursing care, patient care management, pediatric emergency.