Management of the fitting febrile child:
Clothing should be removed and the child covered with a sheet. | |
The child should be placed on its side, or prone with its head to one side, since vomiting with aspiration is a hazard. | |
Rectal diazepam is the drug of choice, producing an effective blood concentration of anticonvulsant within ten minutes. | |
All children with a first febrile convulsion should be admitted to hospital to a) exclude meningitis and b) educate the parents. | |
A urine specimen should be taken to exclude infection, and a blood glucose level should be taken. | |
A lumbar puncture may be performed if the child is less than eighteen months old shows signs of meningitis or sepsis. |