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Febrile convulsions in children
1Department of Pediatrics, King Hussein Medical Center, PO Box 346, Amman 11831, Jordan.
Insights
Febrile convulsions, seizures triggered by fever in young children, are common and typically benign. Most children do not develop epilepsy or long-term issues, and treatment doesn't prevent future epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
Background:
- Febrile convulsion describes seizures in response to fever, not a specific diagnosis.
- Occurs in 2-4% of children aged 3 months to 5 years.
- Typically a generalized tonic-clonic seizure lasting 15 minutes or less.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define febrile convulsions and discuss their characteristics.
- To outline diagnostic and prognostic considerations.
- To review current understanding of recurrence and long-term outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of febrile seizure characteristics.
- Analysis of incidence and risk factors.
- Summary of prognostic indicators and treatment efficacy.
Main Results:
- Febrile seizures are common, often viral-induced, and tend to run in families.
- Routine lab tests are generally not indicated unless evaluating fever source.
- Prognosis is good; epilepsy or intellectual impairment is rare.
Conclusions:
- Febrile convulsions are a distinct clinical event with a generally favorable prognosis.
- No current treatment prevents the development of epilepsy.
- Children with febrile seizures have similar intellectual development to peers.
Abstract:
The term febrile convulsion is not a diagnostic entity. It simply describes any seizure that occurs in response to a febrile stimulus. It usually occurs between the age of 3 months and 5 years and occurs in 2-4% of young children. The typical febrile convulsion is a generalized tonic clonic seizure lasting between a few seconds and 15 minutes, followed by a period of drowsiness. Febrile seizures tend to occur in families, although the exact mode of inheritance is not known. Viruses are the most common cause of illness in children admitted to the hospital with a first febrile seizure. Routine laboratory studies are not indicated for patients who have febrile seizures and should be performed only as part of the evaluation for a source of fever. Prognosis is generally good. Only a small minority of children develop epilepsy or recurrent non-febrile seizures. Children with febrile seizures are at no greater risk of intellectual impairments than their peers. Treatment to prevent recurrence has not been shown to prevent later development of epilepsy.