Role of Paracetamol and oral Ibuprofen as Antipyretics in Children with Fever

Abstract

Objective: To compare the clinical effectiveness of Paracetamol with Ibuprofen as an antipyretic, fever relief and linked
discomfort in children.

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Abbottabad Pakistan from Apr to Nov 2019.

Methodology: Children aged six months to five years, who reported fever between 38-41°C were included. Two temperature groups were developed, i.e., 37.8–38.9ºC and 39–41ºC with baseline temperatures of 38.60±0.56 for Paracetamol-Group and 38.58± 0.56ºC for Ibuprofen-Group. The prescriptions were given over to the parents with clarification about the dose of the medication. The medication had active and placebo forms. Information was gathered until saturation was done.

Results: A total of 104 children were taken in the study. Of these, 77(74.08%) were females, and 27(24.96) were males. Comparing Ibuprofen-treated children with Paracetamol-Group, the final result showed that the extent of children's temperature management was greater in the Ibuprofen-Group 37(71%) than in the Paracetamol-Group 34(65%).

Conclusion: Doctors, attendants and guardians wishing to use medications to treat children suffering from fever should be encouraged to use Ibuprofen first and to consider the relative risks and advantages of using Ibuprofen in addition to Paracetamol for fever. Comparatively, Ibuprofen is more effective than Paracetamol.