FEVER qualitative study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An evaluation of the feasibility of conducting a randomised clinical trial to evaluate the clinical and cost - effectiveness of a more permissive temperature threshold for antipyretic intervention in critically ill children with fever due to infection: FEVER qualitative study
IRAS ID
217089
Contact name
Mark Peters
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 3 days
Research summary
A fever (high temperature) is a normal response by the body to infection. Various methods are currently used by parents, doctors and nurses to reduce fever in children, including using drugs, such as paracetamol, and/or physical cooling methods, such as a cooling mat or sponging the child with water. These are known as antipyretic interventions. We hope to improve the outcome for these children by refining one part of this treatment package, namely by exploring what is the best temperature at which to start treating fever in critically ill children.
We are designing a clinical trial (called FEVER) to find out whether treating critically ill children for fever at a higher temperature (≥40.0oC) than usual (≥37.5oC) improves outcomes for children.
We would like to interview clinicians (doctors and nurses) involved in the treatment of children with suspected infection and parents/legal representatives with experience of their child being admitted to an intensive care unit with a fever and suspected infection in the last three years.
By speaking to clinicians and parents/ legal representatives we hope to find out whether the trial is possible and, if so, how it should be done.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0826
Date of REC Opinion
28 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion