Fever In The Pediatric ICU

Infection , inflammation, duug reactions , neoplasms, autoimmune diseases or vascular occlusive diseases can cause elevation of core body temperature. In most causes, fever is generated by the production of endogenous pyrogens from monouclear and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These cytokines (IL – 1 , IL-6, tumor necrosis factor ) stimulate the production of arachidonic acid metabolites ( prostaglandin E2 and thomboxane A2 ) which affect the temperature regulating areas in the hypothalamus and medulla . the response of the brain to the arachidonic acid metabolites Is an increase in temperature set point .Nosocomial fever occurs commonly in hospitalized [atints . it is estimated that over 30 % of medical patients will experience fever at some point during their hospital stay. The incidence of fever increases to over 90 % in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe sepsis .