Fever as an independent prognostic factor in traumatic brain injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) patients more often than not develop fever within the first few days of their hospitalization. Studies report that causes are variable and according to the pathogenesis, fever may be harmful or protective. The study was conducted to correlate the development of fever with clinical prognosis. Throughout the study spanning 6 months, a total of 98 patients of TBI were included. In the first 48 hours, 54 patients did not develop fever (temperature >37?), 20 patients recorded temperatures between 37? and 39?; and 24 patients developed high fever (39?). On regular temperature monitoring and follow up, it was found that patients developing fever relatively early during hospitalization were more likely to end up with a poor outcome (Glasgow outcome scale 4 to 5). Therefore, fever is independently a predictor of poor prognosis in TBI patients and should be managed diligently in the first few days.