Febrile seizures-primary generalized seizures that last less than 15 minutes and do not recur within 24 hours-are the most common convulsive event in children under age 5. Between 2% and 5% of all children experience one or more such seizures during early childhood.For which children with a first simple febrile seizure should you consider a lumbar puncture? Are an electroencephalogram (EEG), blood studies, and neuro-imaging studies routinely indicated in this setting? In updated guidelines on neurodi-agnostic imaging of children with a first simple febrile seizure-the highlights of which are summarized here-the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers help with these and other related questions. A caveat: The AAP recommendations do not pertain to children who have had complex febrile seizures (prolonged, focal, and/or recurrent) or who have a history of neurologic insults, central nervous system abnormalities; or afe-brile seizures. Also, these practice parameters are intended only for children between 6 months and 5 years of age.
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