Practice parameter: Evaluating a first nonfebrile seizure in children - Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology, the Child Neurology Society, and the American Epilepsy Society

Objective: The Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Ne urology develops practice parameters as strategies for patient management b ased on analysis of evidence. For this practice parameter, the authors revi ewed available evidence on evaluation of the first nonfebrile seizure in ch ildren in order to make practice recommendations based on this available ev idence. Methods: Multiple searches revealed relevant literature and each ar ticle was reviewed, abstracted, and classified. Recommendations were based on a three-tiered scheme of classification of the evidence. Results: Routin e EEG as part of the diagnostic evaluation was recommended; other studies s uch as laboratory evaluations and neuroimaging studies were recommended as based on specific clinical circumstances. Conclusions: Further studies are needed using large, well-characterized samples and standardized data collec tion instruments. Collection of data regarding appropriate timing of evalua tions would be important.