http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/8471/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/25478/ 2011-05-18T00:00:00Z Background: Parents of febrile children frequently contact primary care. Longer duration of fever has been related to increased risk for serious bacterial infections (SBI). However, the evidence for this association remains controversial. We assessed the predictive value of duration of fever for SBI. Methods. Studies from MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases (from January 1991 to December 2009) were retrieved. We included studies describing children aged 2 months to 6 years in countries with high Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination coverage. Duration of fever had to be studied as a predictor for serious bacterial infections. Results: Seven studies assessed the association between duration of fever and serious bacterial infections; three of these found a relationship. Conclusion: The predictive value of duration of fever for identifying serious bacterial infections in children remains inconclusive. None of these seven studies was performed in primary care. Studies evaluating the duration of fever and its predictive value in children in primary care are required. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/9248/ 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z Human bocavirus (HBoV) was detected in nasopharyngeal swabs of 1.6% (95% CI 0.4% to 3.9%) of 257 febrile children presented to a GP center. Symptoms of respiratory tract infection, gastrointestinal symptoms and skin rash were reported. Our results suggest HBoV as a pathogen causing mild disease in non-hospitalized febrile children. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/9251/ 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z Background: Point-of-care testing for C-reactive protein (CRP) may be helpful in differentiating viral from bacterial infection. Such a device should give results comparable to laboratory testing. The aim was to evaluate two point-of-care CRP tests (Nycocard and QuikRead) in febrile children in general practice, compared to a reference immunoturbidimetric assay. Methods: Cross-sectional study of febrile children aged 3 months to 6 years presented to a general practice out-of-hours service. Children were visited at home, where blood was taken for the tests, within 24 hours of presentation. The Nycocard test was performed at home, whereas the QuikRead and reference test were performed in the laboratory. Results: 76 children were enrolled. All three CRP tests were performed in 59 children. The mean difference between the reference test and Nycocard and QuikRead was 0.6 mg/L and –6.1 mg/L, respectively. The slopes of the Passing and Bablok regression were 0.95 (95% CI 0.9-1.0) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.81-0.85) for Nycocard and QuikRead, respectively. Conclusion: Up to a concentration of 160 mg/L the Nycocard correlated well with the reference test, while the QuikRead underestimated concentrations above 60 mg/L. The Nycocard test seems a good candidate for CRP point-of-care testing in general practice.