Ricerca
La febbre è un sintomo o una malattia?
Is fever a symptom or a disease? A survey on a sample of parents regarding fever in children
Federico Marolla1, Marco Mallardi2, Filippo Marolla3
1Pediatra di famiglia ASL RM3, 2Pediatra; 3Biologo, PhD in Statistical Ecology
Gennaio 2026 - pagg. 30 -35 | DOI: 10.53126/MEB45030
Abstract
Fever is one of the main causes of paediatric consultation and a frequent source of parental anxiety. Between April and May 2024, 362 parents attending clinics of 21 family paediatricians in Rome filled in a questionnaire on the subject. Among respondents, 41.1% of parents considered fever to be “dangerous”. Additionally, 52.8% believed that fever should be reduced to avoid febrile seizure and 35.6% believed it should be reduced to avoid dehydration. 97% of parents reported administering antipyretic medications to lower fever and nearly 40% reported alternating between paracetamol and ibuprofen. Parental knowledge and behaviour about fever should be improved to reduce inappropriate use of medications and health services.
Riassunto
La febbre è uno dei principali motivi di visita pediatrica e causa di preoccupazione per i genitori. Tra aprile e maggio 2024, 362 genitori, afferenti agli studi di 21 pediatri di famiglia a Roma, hanno compilato un questionario sul tema. Il 41.1% dei genitori identifica la febbre come "pericolosa", il 52.8% è convinto che sia utile tenerla bassa per evitare convulsioni febbrili, il 35.6% per evitare la disidratazione. Il 97% dei genitori somministra farmaci per abbassare la febbre e quasi il 40% alterna paracetamolo e ibuprofene. È auspicabile che i genitori migliorino le loro conoscenze riguardo la febbre per ridurre un uso improprio di farmaci e dei servizi sanitari.
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Suggerite dall'AI
Classificazione MeSH
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Corrispondenza: federicomarolla1@gmail.com