Minggu, 08 November 2009

FEBRILE CONVULSION

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.