Comparison of the efficacy of paracetamol and ibuprofen for fever in children under 5 years of age.



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Abstract

Fever accounts for a significant proportion of pediatric emergency consultations, with up to 40% of children under the age of five see a doctor for this condition. Fever is usually the result of acute respiratory viral infection, is short-lived and resolves on its own. However, in the hyperergic variant or with depletion of compensatory mechanisms, fever can be the cause of the development of pathological conditions. Therefore, timely and effective control of fever has always been a subject of interest to parents and pediatricians.

Current guidelines define fever above 38.5°C as a condition in which the use of antipyretics is indicated. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen are the most widely prescribed and available over-the-counter antipyretics in children. Despite the widespread use of these drugs, recommendations for the treatment of young children remain varied, leading to irrational use of antipyretics. Therefore, the aim of this review is to analyze existing clinical trials comparing paracetamol and ibuprofen to develop guidelines for pediatricians on the management of febrile pediatric patients.

 

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About the authors

Vadim V. Abramov

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenovskiy University)

Author for correspondence.
Email: abramov_vd@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0006-8151-8865
Russian Federation, 8-2 Trubetskaya St., Moscow 119048, Russian Federation

Maksim L. Maksimov

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University; Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education; Kazan State Medical Academy — Branch Campus of Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education

Email: maksim_maksimov@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8979-8084
SPIN-code: 6261-3982

MD, Dr. Sci. (Med.), professor

Russian Federation, Moscow; Moscow; Kazan

Boris K. Romanov

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University

Email: bkr@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5429-9528
SPIN-code: 8453-9166
Russian Federation, Moscow

Anastasia A. Shikaleva

Kazan State Medical Academy – branch of Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education

Email: shikaleva@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1798-0490
SPIN-code: 4092-1591

Assistant of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy

Russian Federation, Kazan

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