Fever and Convulsions— Indications for Laboratory Investigations

The routine laboratory investigations performed on 562 children seen with their first episode of convulsions and fever were retrospectively analyzed. By dividing the cohort into SFC and nonSFC groups, it was found that the yield of abnormal laboratory results was significantly more prevalent in the latter group. In almost all of the cohort cases, clinically significant laboratory abnormalities in blood chemistry could have been anticipated from the history and physical examination. It is therefore concluded that the only routine investigation indicated, even in the absence of clinical suspicion, is a lumbar puncture. In ideal situations even this procedure may be omitted. Other investigations should be performed only if the clinical features of the case warrant them.