Seizure: Febrile

Clinical Pathways promote evidence-based, safe, and high-value patient care by providing clinical recommendations and standard processes. They are developed by multidisciplinary committees of subject matter experts, informed by a methodical review of available evidence and consensus among committee members.

Clinical Pathway:

• Seizure: Febrile (Simple and Complex) Algorithm
• Seizure: Febrile Synopsis (provides care standards employed for this clinical pathway)

Additional tools associated with this Clinical Pathway:

• Simple Febrile Seizure Discharge Instructions
• Simple Febrile Seizure Discharge Instructions - Spanish
• Complex Febrile Seizure Discharge Instructions
• Complex Febrile Seizure Discharge Instructions - Spanish

Inclusion and exclusion criteria:

• Inclusion:
  • Child between the ages of 6 to 60 months
  • Typical neurodevelopment
  • Fever at or near the time of the seizure

Note. A seizure may be provoked by acute illness without fever. However, if there was no known fever, contact Neurology for              guidance

• Exclusion:
  • If the child is presently experiencing a seizure lasting > 5 minutes, refer to Status Epilepticus: Initial Management Clinical Pathway
  • Child > 60 months of age
  • Known underlying condition (e.g., an inborn error of metabolism)
  • History of non-febrile seizures
  • Recent history of head trauma or concern for non-accidental trauma (NAT)

Committee members involved in the development:

• Gina Jones, DO | Neurology | Committee Co-Chair
• Mark Grady, MD | Pediatric Neurology Fellow | Committee Co-Chair
• Allison (Allie) Adam, MD | Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow | Committee Member
• Lina Patel, MD | Pediatric Emergency Medicine | Committee Member
• James Hubbard, MD | Urgent Care | Committee Member
• Jonathan Ermer, MD | Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellow | Committee Member
• Christine Scoby, DO | Hospital Medicine | Committee Member
• Jill Vickers, MSN, RN-BC, CPN | Clinical Practice and Quality | Committee Member

Patient/Family Committee Member:

• Allen Hall | Committee Member

EBP Committee Members:

• Kathleen Berg, MD, FAAP | Hospitalist, Evidence Based Practice
• Kelli Ott, OTD, OTR/L | Evidence Based Practice

Publication dates:

• Finalized date: 08/2024
• Next expected revision date: 08/2027

Concerns with content:

If you have any questions regarding this content or identify a broken link, please email evidencebasedpractice@cmh.edu. 

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.