Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Amplitude-Integrated EEG in Infants at Risk of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Feasibility Study in Road and Air Transport in Western Australia
05:15

Amplitude-Integrated EEG in Infants at Risk of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Feasibility Study in Road and Air Transport in Western Australia

Published on: June 21, 2024

Do all pediatric patients who have a febrile seizure require transport by advanced life support?

Richard Brodsky1, Mark A Merlin, Ernest G Leva

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.

Pediatric Emergency Care
|May 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric patients with simple febrile seizures can be safely transported by basic life support (BLS) instead of advanced life support (ALS). This study identifies field assessment factors to classify these seizures, optimizing emergency medical services resources.

Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Pre-hospital Care

Background:

  • New Jersey emergency medical services (EMS) protocols mandate advanced life support (ALS) for all pediatric seizure transports.
  • This protocol may overutilize critical ALS resources for conditions manageable by basic life support (BLS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if pediatric patients experiencing simple febrile seizures can be safely transported via BLS.
  • To identify clinical factors for pre-hospital risk stratification of febrile seizures.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 71 pediatric patients with febrile seizures transported via ALS.
  • Analysis of interventions (admission, medication, intubation, respiratory support) and patient history/physical exam findings.

Main Results:

  • Identification of specific historical and physical examination factors in the field to classify simple febrile seizures.
  • These factors can significantly lower the perceived risk of adverse outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric patients with simple febrile seizures are suitable candidates for BLS transport.
  • Further research is recommended to validate these findings and support protocol changes.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn11:27

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

Published on: April 7, 2023

A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy06:58

A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Published on: July 12, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Increased Body Temperature01:25

Increased Body Temperature

A body temperature above  38°C  (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management01:25

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management

Pharmacologic intervention is crucial in treating cardiac arrest patients during ACLS or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. The ACLS algorithms guide the administration of specific drugs based on the patient's cardiac arrest rhythm, which includes pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), asystole, and pulseless electrical activity (PEA).EpinephrineIndication: Epinephrine is the first-line drug for all cardiac arrest rhythms.Mechanism of Action: Epinephrine...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I: Adult01:21

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I: Adult

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a life-saving emergency procedure performed when a person's heart has stopped beating or they are no longer breathing. The foundation of CPR is Basic Life Support (BLS), which focuses on the early recognition of cardiac arrest, the immediate start of high-quality chest compressions, and the timely use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).Assessing Responsiveness and Checking the Carotid PulseWhen approaching an unresponsive person, first ensure...