Siba Prosad Paul and colleagues discuss the aetiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of the most common type of seizure in children, and set out best practice for their care
The causes of febrile convulsions are usually benign. Such convulsions are common in children and their long-term consequences are rare. However, other causes of seizures, such as intracranial infections, must be excluded before diagnosis, especially in infants and younger children. Diagnosis is based mainly on history taking, and further investigations into the condition are not generally needed in fully immunised children presenting with simple febrile convulsions. Treatment involves symptom control and treating the cause of the fever. Nevertheless, febrile convulsions in children can be distressing for parents, who should be supported and kept informed by experienced emergency department (ED) nurses. This article discusses the aetiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of children with febrile convulsion, and best practice for care in EDs. It also includes a reflective case study to highlight the challenges faced by healthcare professionals who manage children who present with febrile convulsion.
Emergency Nurse. 23, 2, 18-25. doi: 10.7748/en.23.2.18.e1431
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to double blind peer review
Conflict of interestNone declared
Received: 01 March 2015
Accepted: 14 April 2015
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