Diagnostic Pitfalls in a Child with Fever

Fever is the most common symptom in pediatric pract ice. 30% of all office visits is due to fever. Those who provide health care for children do receive innumerable pho ne calls daily for fever. Majority of fever cases get better even without proper diagnosis. Some of them develop complications due to pitfalls in diagnosis and irra tional management. Appropriate diagnosis is the pre-requis ite for rational management. A detailed history and thoroug h clinical examination are mandatory for reaching the diagnosis. Sound analysis and interpretation of his tory, physical examination and basic investigations is th e key of diagnosis in most cases of fever. Pitfalls in any o f these steps may lead to disaster. Common diagnostic pitfa lls in a case of fever observed in daily practice are discus sed here.