A CLINICAL EVALUATION OF WARM AND COLD-WATER SPONGING TECHNIQUES IN PEDIATRIC PYREXIA MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Fever is a common concern in paediatric care, and its management often involves pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of warm water sponging, cold water sponging, and antipyretics alone in reducing fever among pyrexia children. The study categorized participants into three groups: Group I (antipyretics alone), Group II (cold water sponging with antipyretics), and Group III (warm water sponging with antipyretics). Temperature changes were recorded at the 15th, 30th, 45th, and 60th minutes post-intervention.

Findings revealed that Group III demonstrated the most significant reduction in temperature across all time intervals, with an average decrease of 2.17°F at the 60th minute, compared to 1.8°F in Group II and 1.69°F in Group I. Cold water sponging initially showed rapid temperature reduction but led to discomfort in children and a possible rebound increase in body temperature. Conversely, warm water sponging was more effective and better tolerated. Comparative analysis using ANOVA confirmed significant differences between the three groups (F(1,59) = 3.15, p < 0.05).

The study highlights that warm water sponging in combination with antipyretics is a more effective and comfortable method for reducing fever in children than cold water sponging or antipyretics alone. These findings align with recent randomized controlled trials that emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate temperature management strategies to optimize patient comfort and treatment efficacy.