The Efficacy of Cooling Gel Patch versus Sponging in febrile children presenting to Emergency of Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, Sialkot

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background:

Fever is a common childhood problem causing a great concern for parents however symptomatic management of fever remains controversial because of lack of evidence to support it.

Objective:

To compare the efficacy of cooling gel patch and tepid sponging in treatment of febrile children presenting to emergency.

Study Design:

This was a Randomized controlled trial.

Study Setting:

Study was conducted at Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching hospital, Sialkot from July 2022 to December 2022.

Materials and Methods:

200 children of 6 months-12 years of age with axillary temperature ≥ 101ºF were included and divided into two groups A and B with 100 patients in each of Cooling gel Patch and Tepid Water sponging groups respectively.

Results:

Out of 200 patients ,the proportion of male and female were 55(55%) and 45(45%) in Group A respectively, while 53(53%) and 47(47%) in Group B.Mean age in Group A patients was 7.34±3.198 year and 7.27±3.392 year in Group B patients.In Group A ,the mean reduction in temperature after 30,60,90,120 minutes were 3.04±0.34, 1.69±0.14,1.92±0.28,0.81±0.17 respectively however in Group B the mean reduction in temperature  at 30,60,90 and 120 minutes were 1.14±0.18, 1.89±0.11,2.63±0.15, 3.02±0.04. The comparison of mean reduction in temperature in two groups showed that Group B achieved slow but steady reduction in temperature while Group A achieved faster but less sustained.

Conclusion:

Both techniques of reducing fever can be combined to have quick and sustained response to fever since they augment each other.

Categories:

General Paediatrics

Keywords: Febrile children, cooling gel patch, sponging