Author: Richard Smith / Editor: Tim Osborne / Codes: / Published: 09/07/2025
A 2-year-old child presents to the Emergency Department (ED) with a 2 minute long episode where he became unresponsive, initially being stiff and then with rhythmic jerking of all four limbs. He was sleepy for 5-10 minutes afterwards.
The parents report that he is normally fit and well but has been feverish for the last 24 hours and been off his food and pulling at his right ear.
He has been playing in the ED waiting area. Clinical examination is unremarkable except for a bulging and erythematous right tympanic membrane.
His observations are:
- SpO2 99% breathing air
- RR 34 per minute
- HR 140
- BP 92/55
- Temp 38.5 C
