INTRODUCTION: Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common type of childhood seizures, affecting 2% to 5% of children. . A third of them correspond to the complex type. The majority occurs in those older than one month of age. Although reliable data exist about Neuroimaging and Electroencephalogram utility in the initial management of this entity, it is still in discussion.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze neuroimaging and electroencephalography utility in initial management of CFS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. We reviewed 486 medical charts, from 1 month to 6 years, admitted with FS diagnosis from 2008 to 2013.  Complex febrile seizures (CFS), is one with focal onset, one that occurs more than once during a febrile illness or lasts more than 10 minutes. 87 children were included.

RESULTS: 18% of the children presented with CFS, the median age was 2 years. Focal features 13,7%, prolonged duration 56,3% and recurrent episodes within 24 hours  60,9%. The 81,6% as the second episode of FS. 70% had a neuroimaging and were normal. Electroencephalogram abnormality was found in 12 patients (66.6% focal paroxysmal activity and 33.3% with diffuse slow activity). Patients with these findings showed prolonged and / or recurrent crisis.

CONCLUSIONS: CFS mostly occurred in children under 2 years of age equally in both genders. They were prolonged and recurrent. Neuroimaging nor EEG findings did not modify initial management at the Emergency Department.