In a typical febrile seizure, the examination usually shows no abnormalities other than the illness causing the fever. Typically, a full seizure workup including an EEG, head CT, and lumbar puncture (spinal tap ) is not warranted.
However, the child's condition must meet strict medical criteria if these tests are to be avoided:
The child must be developmentally normal
The seizure must be generalized (not focal), meaning more than one part of the body is involved.
The seizure may not last longer than 15 minutes.
The child cannot have had more than one febrile seizure in 24 hours.
The child's neurologic exam performed by a physician must be normal to be called a simple febrile seizure.
If all of these criteria are met, no further studies are likely to be required.
Zupanc M. The first seizure in childhood: Don’t just do something, stand there! Neurology. 2005; 64(5): 774-775.
Warren CR. Evaluation and management of febrile seizures in the out-of-hospital and emergency department settings. Ann Emerg Med. 2003; 41(2): 215-222.
Jankowiak J. Seizures in children with fever: Generally good outcome. Neurology. 2003; 60(2): E1-2.
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