Editor’s Capsule Summary
What is already known on this topic
Complex febrile seizure in children is an uncommon (<1%) presenting symptom of bacterial meningitis or herpes meningoencephalitis. Many debate the need for emergency lumbar puncture in these children.
What question this study addressed
What is the current prevalence of bacterial meningitis and herpes meningoencephalitis in children with complex febrile seizure who have no other clinical findings suggestive of these conditions?
What this study adds to our knowledge
In a multicenter retrospective study conducted in Paris, France, among 839 children aged 6 months to 5 years with complex febrile seizure, 0.7% had bacterial meningitis and none had herpes meningoencephalitis. Among children free of other suggestive clinical findings of either, none had these diseases.
How this is relevant to clinical practice
These data support the development of guidelines limiting lumbar puncture for complex febrile seizure in the absence of other concerning signs in urban vaccinated populations.