Afebrile pediatric seizures

Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2011 Feb;29(1):95-108. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2010.08.009.

Abstract

Most well-appearing children who have had an afebrile seizure can be managed as outpatients with instructions for an outpatient electroencephalogram and primary care physician follow-up. Laboratory studies are needed only in children younger than 6 months, in patients with prolonged seizures or altered level of consciousness, or in those with history of a metabolic disorder or dehydration. Emergent neuroimaging is not recommended in children with a first unprovoked afebrile seizure, although studies should be considered in children with a predisposing condition or focal seizures if younger than 3 years.

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Physical Examination*
  • Seizures / classification
  • Seizures / diagnosis*
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Spasms, Infantile / diagnosis*
  • Spasms, Infantile / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants