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A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy
06:58

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Published on: July 12, 2021

Antipyretic agents for preventing recurrences of febrile seizures: randomized controlled trial

Teemu Strengell1, Matti Uhari, Rita Tarkka

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.

Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|September 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Antipyretic medications do not prevent recurrent febrile seizures in children. Fever management with antipyretics did not reduce the recurrence rate of febrile seizures.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Febrile seizures affect young children and can be recurrent.
  • The efficacy of antipyretic agents in preventing febrile seizure recurrence is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of different antipyretic agents at their highest recommended doses for preventing febrile seizure recurrences.
  • To assess the impact of antipyretics on body temperature during febrile episodes.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was conducted across five pediatric hospitals.
  • 231 children who experienced their first febrile seizure were followed for two years.
  • Treatment involved rectal diclofenac or placebo, followed by oral ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or placebo for febrile episodes.

Main Results:

  • Febrile seizure recurrences were observed in 23.4% of children.
  • No significant difference in recurrence rates was found between children receiving antipyretics and those receiving placebo (23.4% vs 23.5%).
  • Fever was significantly higher during episodes with seizures compared to those without (39.7°C vs 38.9°C), irrespective of medication.

Conclusions:

  • Antipyretic agents are ineffective in preventing the recurrence of febrile seizures.
  • These medications do not effectively lower body temperature in febrile episodes associated with recurrent seizures.
Abstract

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