Characteristics of study population (n = 9794)
| Basic characteristics | n (%) |
| Male | 5273 (53.8) |
| Median age, years (IQR) [range] | 2.3 (1.0–4.6) [0.02–16] |
| Consultation type | |
| Physical at GPC | 9719 (99.2) |
| Home visit | 75 (0.8) |
| Median temperature at GPCa, °C (IQR) [range] | 38.5 (37.7–39.1) [35.5–41.3] |
| Alarm signs present | n (%) |
| Ill appearance | 389 (4.0) |
| ABC instability | 1 (<0.1) |
| Unconsciousness | 8 (0.1) |
| Drowsy | 53 (0.5) |
| Inconsolable | 384 (3.9) |
| Abnormal circulation | 162 (1.7) |
| Cyanosis | 46 (0.5) |
| Shortness of breath | 465 (4.7) |
| Meningeal irritation | 55 (0.6) |
| Neurological signs | 152 (1.6) |
| Vomiting and diarrhoea | 2073 (21.2) |
| Dehydration | 96 (1.0) |
| Extremity problems | 27 (0.3) |
| Signs of urinary tract infection | 499 (5.1) |
| Petechial rash | 34 (0.3) |
| Temperature ≥40°C | 2462 (25.1) |
| Duration of feverb | n (%) |
| Started today | 2008 (20.5) |
| 1 day | 1729 (17.7) |
| 2 days | 1228 (12.5) |
| 3 days | 1325 (13.5) |
| 4 days | 700 (7.1) |
| >5 days | 731 (7.5) |
| Referral/follow-up | n (%) |
| Referral to ED | 794 (8.1) |
| Follow-up appointment | 770 (7.9) |
| No follow-up | 8230 (84.0) |
ABC = airway, breathing, circulation. ED = emergency department. GPC = GP cooperative. IQR = interquartile range.
↵a Temperature was not measured for 57% of patients, in analyses replaced by mean temperature (n = 3368) = 38.4°C (SE 0.02).
↵b Duration of fever was unknown for 21% of patients, in analyses replaced by mean duration (n = 7721) = 2.01 days (SE 0.02).