Abstract

Altaf Ahmad Bhat, Sheikh Mushtaq, Farhana Mohammad, Seema Khan, Rukaya Akther, Iqra Bhat,
Dr. Saleem Jahangir*

ABSTRACT

Febrile child is always a concern for a clinician but it is distressful situation for parents. High temperature in children not only needs treatment but evaluation as well. Antipyretic medications for children with fevers are mainstay as treatment before one can proceed for evaluation. Other methods of reducing body temperature by advising parents about use of whole body sponging, minimal clothing, use of fans comes after health worker has prescribed antipyretics, this way clinician can alleviate any discomfort associated with high temperatures and can minimize the chance of febrile convulsion. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of two of the most available and commonly used over the counter medicines ie paracetamol, ibuprofen and combination. Many previous studies have evaluated the effectiveness of these drugs individually but here we are comparing the effect of individual drug and their fixed dose combination on body temperature between 1 and 6 hours after administration of drug in three different groups. Objective:-The objective of this study was to compare the antipyretic activity of Paracetamol, ibuprofen and their fixed dose formulation. Methodology:-Children attending outpatient department and causality of Pediatric Hospital with complaints of fever sudden onset and recorded temperature between 101 0F to 104 0F were selected and randomly computer generated allocation to three different group. Axillary temperature with mercury thermometer and average of three reading was recorded before administration of drug (0th hr) and then subsequently at 1st hr, 2nd hr, 4th hr and 6th hr, Fahrenheit Fall of temperature over six hours was recorded. In Group 1st Paracetamol in dose of 15mg/kg was given, Group 2nd ibuprofen in dose of 10mg/kg was administered, and Group 3rd combination of Paracetamol (10mg/kg) and ibuprofen (5mg/kg) was used. No other method of temperature reduction was advised to parents, children with high fever were kept under close observation for ist six hours in causality area of hospital. Results:-Study was completed with 462 children from the age group of 12 months to 72 completed months, enrolled via computer generate allocation 154 in each group, Out of which 189 were females and 273 were males. Informed consent was obtained from parents. Statistical analysis was done using SSSP software. Quantitative data is analyzed using “student t test” and mean effect of drug at one hour and 6 hours was measured and compared, statistical significance was measured as p value. In the group A 75 were females and 79 were males, Ibuprofen group B 57 Girls and 97 boys. In combined group C group 97 boys and 57 girls. All 462 patients entered into the study took one dose of study medication at the time of presentation and temperature record before investigator. The difference between treatments for the mean change from baseline in body temperature occurred during the first six hours. During the study, the temperature dropped to 99.5 oF over six hours for 117 /154(76%) patients in the paracetamol group group and 147/154 (95%) patients in the ibuprofen group and 153/154(99%) in group C. And There were no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups in the distribution of the times until the temperature fell below 99oF (median times of 2 hours) over 1-6 hours for paracetamol, ibuprofen and combined group respectively; p=0.25).