Question

A 3-month-old term infant presents with fever of 38.6°C for 6 hours. The baby looks well, feeds normally and has normal vital signs. There is no source on examination. According to the 2023 Canadian Paediatric Society guideline on febrile young infants, which is the BEST statement regarding management of a well-appearing 61-90 day-old infant?

Accepted Answer

Low-risk 61-90 day-old infants may be managed as outpatients with close follow-up if appropriate investigations are reassuring

Answer

All infants <=90 days require full septic work-up and mandatory hospital admission

Answer

Empiric intravenous antibiotics and lumbar puncture are mandatory in all febrile infants <=90 days

Answer

Urinalysis is not necessary if the infant appears well

Answer

No investigations are required in any febrile infant if they feed normally

Practice question