Incidence and Medical Management of Fever in Newborns at the Cinquantenaire Hospital in Kisangani, The Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction: Fever in newborns is the main reason for consultation in pediatrics or neonatology; it is an elevation of body temperature above 38.0°C. This study allowed us to determine the incidence of fever in newborns admitted to the pediatrics department of the Cinquantenaire Hospital in Kisangani, identify the causes, and analyze medical management.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study based on a literature review. We collected 44 cases of fever in newborns admitted to the pediatrics department of the Cinquantenaire Hospital in Kisangani from January 1 to December 31, 2024.

Results: The incidence of fever in the pediatrics department of the Cinquantenaire Hospital in Kisangani between January 1 and December 31, 2024, was 24.0%. Bacterial infection (52.4%) and malaria (22.7%) were the most common etiologies. The medical management of fever included antipyretics (100%) and antibiotics (90.9%), leading to an 81.8% cure rate.

Conclusion: Fever in newborns is an emergency that should attract the attention of the pediatrician. Its discovery requires a clinical assessment that is as comprehensive as possible. Paraclinical assessments are almost routine in this age group. The primary objective of fever treatment is to alleviate the newborn's discomfort.