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Fetal growth retardation and risk of febrile seizures

Annemarie M Visser1, Vincent W V Jaddoe, Albert Hofman

  • 1Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Neurology, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands. a.m.visser@erasmusmc.nl

Pediatrics
|September 22, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Fetal growth restriction in pregnancy is linked to a higher risk of febrile seizures in young children. This includes measurements like estimated fetal weight and transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD).

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal epidemiology
  • Pediatric neurology
  • Fetal development

Background:

  • Febrile seizures are common in early childhood.
  • Fetal growth can be influenced by various factors during pregnancy.
  • Understanding predictors of febrile seizures is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between fetal growth parameters in different pregnancy trimesters and the incidence of febrile seizures.
  • To identify specific fetal growth characteristics that may indicate an increased risk for febrile seizures.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, population-based cohort study.
  • Fetal growth measurements (femur length, abdominal circumference, estimated fetal weight, head circumference, biparietal diameter, transverse cerebellar diameter [TCD]) assessed via ultrasonography in the second and third trimesters.
  • Febrile seizure occurrence documented through questionnaires at 12 and 24 months in 3372 subjects.

Main Results:

  • Lowest tertile of transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD) in the second trimester was associated with increased febrile seizure risk (OR 2.87).
  • Lowest tertiles of femur length, abdominal circumference, and estimated fetal weight in the third trimester showed increased febrile seizure risk.
  • The strongest association was observed for the lowest tertile of estimated fetal weight (OR 2.57); lowest biparietal diameter also showed increased risk.

Conclusions:

  • Fetal growth retardation is a significant risk factor for febrile seizures within the first two years of life.
  • Environmental and genetic factors during gestation may play a role in the etiology of febrile seizures.
Abstract

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