Abstract
Objective This study aimed to identify existing apps for paediatric fever management and compare their decision algorithms with current evidence-based guidelines.
Methods From May to July 2022, mobile applications were systematically searched in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store using specific terms. The apps underwent four rounds of screening to match predefined criteria. Each app was evaluated by five independent reviewers using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). The decision support algorithms of each app were analysed for adherence to existing fever management recommendations, including the NICE guidelines for children under five years of age and the Schmitt-Thompson triage protocol for children under and over three months of age.
Results Out of 878 apps retrieved, 6 met the selection criteria and were 3 finally assessed. The apps scored high on overall quality, averaging a MARS rating of 4.3 out of 5. Kinsa and FeverApp scored the highest (4.4 out of 5), followed by FeverFriend (4.0 out of 5). FeverFriend showed the highest adherence to the NICE guidelines, followed by Kinsa and FeverApp. For the Schmitt-Thompson protocol, Kinsa showed the highest adherence, followed by FeverFriend and FeverApp.
Conclusion The availability of evidence-based fever management apps with parental decision support systems is limited. Kinsa emerged as the top-performing app based on quality assessment