Simple febrile convulsions

Simple febrile convulsions occur in otherwise normal children, aged six months to five years, with extracranial infection. Cerebrospinal fluid examination should be done on all children with their first febrile convulsion to rule out an underlying organic disease, especially purulent meningitis. Initial treatment includes antipyretics, tepid sponging and intramuscular phenobarbital. If a seizure recurs, the usual anticonvulsant measures should be carried out and, if prolonged, the patient should receive appropriated doses of diazepam or phenobarbital, intravenously. Patients with suspected epileptic convulsive disorders precipitated by fever, or those with seizures thought to be associated with underlying organic disease, should be hospitalized for further evaluation or treatment or both. Patients with simple febrile convulsions have a benign disorder and can be safely treated as outpatients.