An overview of the management of fever and its possible complications in infants and toddlers

Fever is a normal response to a variety of conditions, the most common of which is infection. Fever occurs when the body's temperature is elevated, because its thermostat is being reset to a higher-than-usual temperature. Nearly every child will develop a fever at some point in time. The challenge for health care workers is to know when to be concerned. This topic review will discuss the definition of fever, its pathophysiology and basic overview, how and when to treat fever, as well as the signs and symptoms that require further assessment and evaluation. A short overview of febrile seizures has also been included.