Etiology and outcome of outpatient fevers in pediatric heart transplant patients.

We reviewed 74 outpatient febrile episodes in 22 pediatric heart transplant patients in order to determine etiologies, rates of serious and nonserious illness, and factors predictive of serious disease. Twenty-two febrile episodes (30%) resulted in hospital admission. Only three variables were predictive of serious illness: longer duration of fever, shorter time since transplant, and lower febrile episode number. We conclude that at least 70% of outpatient febrile episodes are nonserious and can be managed safely in an outpatient setting. The duration of fever may be predictive of serious disease but is not useful at initial presentation.