Causes of fever in outpatient Tanzanian children [1]

摘要

to the editor: As physicians working in the only public emergency department in Tanzania, we are acutely aware of the need for better data to guide management of febrile illness in children, as described by D'Acremont et al. (Feb. 27 issue).1 However, we question the suggestion that it is safe to send febrile children home without antimicrobial treatment. In this study, 22% of febrile children had bacterial infections, and 10.5% had malaria. Since Tanzania has limited pediatric health care capabilities, follow-up cannot be ensured, and delayed treatment can lead to severe morbidity and mortality.