Salud Medicina e Innovación Journal
Fiebre sin foco en menores de 5 años: actualización del enfoque diagnóstico basada en la evidencia
By Silvia Carolina Villacrés Gavilanes, Lissette Cristina Castillo Merino, Lisette Estefanía Reinoso Álvarez and 1 others.
Abstract
Introduction
Fever without a source represents a frequent diagnostic challenge in pediatric emergency care, particularly in children under 5 years of age, due to the difficulty of distinguishing self-limited viral illnesses from serious bacterial infections. Clinical assessment remains fundamental; however, the incorporation of biomarkers, rapid diagnostic tests, and risk-stratification algorithms has modified the diagnostic approach to these patients.
Objective
To analyze recent scientific evidence on the diagnostic criteria used in children under 5 years of age presenting with fever without a source, with emphasis on the clinical performance of biomarkers, ancillary diagnostic tests, and risk-stratification algorithms for the early identification of serious bacterial infections.