We reviewed 74 outpatient febrile episodes in 22 pediatric heart trans
plant 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 ar-e nonseri
ous and can be managed safely in an outpatient setting, The duration o
f fever may be predictive of serious disease but is not useful at init
ial presentation.