[Epidemiology and characteristics of febrile seizures in children]

Febrile Seizures (FS), despite their usual benign clinical course, are still subject of controversies regarding the need for further investigation and treatment with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Our study aimed to inventory the clinical findings, laboratory and imaging data associated with FS and eventually influencing their management. 275 episodes admitted with FS at the emergency ward of the Liege CHR over a 5 year period were retrospectively analyzed regarding precipitating factors; clinical features; laboratory, electroencephalographic, and imaging studies; as well as treatment response. FS represented 1.4% of admissions to the pediatric service. 31.3% of patients had a family history of seizure disorder. 9% percent of seizures were focal, 11.7% recurrent, and 12.3% prolonged (greater than 10 minutes). Upper respiratory tract and otorhinolaryngologic viral infections were the most often implicated provoking factors, occurring in 69.5% of patients. Laboratory, electroencephalographic and radiographic studies were normal in more than 90% of cases. 73.8% of seizures resolved without intervention. An AED was required to manage the remaining 26.2%. This study confirms the favorable outcomes of FS as demonstrated in previous studies. This happens without requiring AEDs for resolution, and without recurrence. Laboratory, electroencephalographic and imaging studies, as well as initiation of AEDs should be based primarily on clinical severity.