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Febrile Infant Quick Guide

 
Clinical Decision Making for Well-Appearing Febrile Infants Without Identifiable Source of Infection
Please refer to CMH CPG for full work up and antibiotic recommendations (0-21 Days, 22-28 days, 29-60 days)
This tool does not take into account patient’s HSV risk status.  Please consider your individual’s patient’s risk when utilizing.
 
0-21 Days of Age

Inflammatory Markers

Urinalysis

Lumbar Puncture

Antibiotics

Disposition

Positive or Negative

Positive or Negative

Perform LP

IV antibiotics

Admit^

 

22-28 Days of Age

Inflammatory Markers

Urinalysis

Lumbar Puncture

Antibiotics

Disposition

Negative

Negative

LP may be obtained*

LP not performed à option to admit off antibiotics

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LP performedàMay give IV antibiotics* (required if CSF (+))#

Observe in hospital^

 

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May discharge home if CSF (-), Ceftriaxone x 1 given* and f/u in 24-36 hours available

Negative

Positive

LP may be obtained*

IV antibiotics

Admit^

Positive

Positive or Negative

Perform LP, then:

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If CSF is negative

 

 

 

  

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If CSF is positive

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If CSF is not obtained or uninterpretable

IV Antibiotics if UA positive

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If UA negative and observing at home IV antibiotics

 

If UA negative and admitting may administer IV antibiotics*

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IV antibiotics

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IV antibiotics

 Admit^

 

 

 

 

 

 

 -------------------------------------------

Admit^

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Admit^

 

 

29-60 Days of Age

Inflammatory Markers

Urinalysis

Lumbar Puncture

Antibiotics

Disposition

Negative

Negative

No LP

No antibiotics

Observe closely at home, f/u in 24-36 hours

Negative

Positive

No LP

Oral antibiotics

Observe closely at home, f/u in 24-36 hours

Positive

Negative

Perform LP, then:

 

 

Positive

Positive

May perform LP*, then:

IF CSF is negative

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If CSF is positive#

-------------------------------------------

If CSF is not obtained or uninterpretable

 

IV or oral antibiotics (if UA(+))

---------------------------------------

IV antibiotics

----------------------------------------

IV Antibiotics

May observe in hospital or

home*

-----------------------------------------

Admit^

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May observe in hospital or home*

 

 

 

^Discharge at 24-36 hours if cultures negative and clinically improving

* Opportunity for Shared Decision Making

# CSF positive defined as >15  WBC/mm3


 

 

ELEVATED INFLAMMATORY MARKERS (IM)

         Procalcitonin > 0.5 ng/mL

         C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥ 2.0 mg/dl (20 mg/L)

         Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 4,000

         Temperature > 38.5oC

 

These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.