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Simple Febrile: Identify and Treat the Source of the Fever

Simple Febrile Seizure- the American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guideline for the Neurodiagnostic Evaluation of the Child (Duffner et al. 2014) states that management of simple febrile seizures should be pointed at identifying and treating the source of the fever.

  • Lumbar puncture (LP) is indicated in children with

    • Signs and symptoms of central nervous system infections, who would be off guideline.

  • LP is an option for children

    • 6-12 months of age who are deficient in Hib and s pneumoniae immunization

    • Whom immunization status is unknown 

    • Pretreated with antibiotics

These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.