Publication Date
6-2016
Disclaimer
These guidelines do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare guidelines for each. Accordingly, these guidelines should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.
Objective of the Guideline
The objective of this guideline is to standardize care of the child with a complex febrile seizure in the Emergency Department/Urgent Care Center (ED/UCC) setting or a patient referred to an inpatient unit.
Target Users
ED/UCC providers, including physicians, fellows, resident physicians, advance practice nurses, direct care nurses, and inpatient providers.
Clinical Questions Answered by Guideline
1. If a medication is required to stop the complex febrile seizure (prolonged, focal, or recurrent), which medication should be used to stop the seizure?
2. If a medication is required to stop the complex febrile seizure, should a benzodiazepine be prescribed for home use for recurrence of prolonged seizure with a fever?
3. For a child who is back to baseline after a complex febrile seizure (prolonged, focal, or recurrent), and has a non-focal neurological exam, should the following be obtained:
a. Laboratory studies
- Serum studies
- Urine studies
- CSF studies
b. Radiologic studies
- Head CT without contrast
- Brain MRI
c. Neuro-diagnostic studies
- EEG
4. For a child who is back to baseline after a complex febrile seizure (prolonged, focal, or recurrent), should a Neurology consult be obtained?
5. For a child who is back to baseline after a complex febrile seizure (prolonged, focal, or recurrent), should the child be admitted to the hospital?
Keywords
Seizure; Complex Febrile
Disciplines
Pediatrics
Recommended Citation
Children's Mercy Kansas City, "Seizures, Complex Febrile Seizure" (2016). Clinical Pathways.
https://scholarlyexchange.childrensmercy.org/clinical_guidelines/6
