Febrile Seizures

• Diagnosis: Simple vs Complex
  • Simple Febrile Seizure
    • Age = 6mos to 5yrs
    • Single Seizure
    • Generalized
    • Lasting less than 15 minutes
    • Child returns to baseline and has normal neurological exam.
  • Complex Febrile Seizure
    • Same as above, except can be focal seizure or prolonged or with multiple seizures within 24 hours.
    • May indicate a more serious disease process.

• Etiologies:
  • Viral illnesses are the predominant cause of febrile seizures.
    • Human herpes simplex virus 6 (HHSV-6) has been associated with about 20% of pts with first febrile seizures.
  • Shigella gastroenteritis also has been associated.
  • The rate of serious bacterial infections is similar to those found in pt’s with fever without a source

• Key Point:
  • Do NOT forget to work-up the fever as you would for the patient’s age!
  • A lower threshold for performing full-sepsis work-up with LP is advocated in those pt’s less than 12 months of age.