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Fever of Unknown Origin, Pediatric

Samir S. Shah, MD, MSCE Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) implies 
  • A febrile illness (38.3°C on multiple occasions)

  • Present for >14 days

  • No apparent source despite careful history taking, physical exam, and pre...

DIAGNOSIS

Approach to the patient 
  • Phase 1

    • Document fever.

    • Thorough history and physical exam

    • Determine whether constitutional symptoms (e.g., growth failure, developmental arrest) suggest a serious under...

TREATMENT

Treatment depends on cause of fever. 

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

Prognosis depends on cause of fever 
  • Most children with FUO who lack a specific diagnosis fare well with resolution of fever and few or no recurrent episodes.

  • Occasionally, evoluti...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Chow A, Robinson JL. Fever of unknown origin in children: a systematic review. World J Pediatr.  2011;7(1):5–10. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Chusid MJ. Fever of unknown orig...

CODES

ICD9

780.6 Fever, unspecified 

ICD10

R50.9 Fever, unspecified 

SNOMED

7520000 Pyrexia of unknown origin (finding) 

FAQ

  • Q: Do all of the mentioned tests need to be performed?

  • A: A “shotgun” approach to testing is rarely useful in making the diagnosis, and unanticipated abnormalities (e.g., false-positives) may lead ...

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