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A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy
Published on: July 12, 2021
Neurodevelopmental problems should be considered in children with febrile seizures
Gill Nilsson1, Joakim Westerlund1,2, Elisabeth Fernell1
1Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Insights
Febrile seizures (FS) in young children are often linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. While FS may not cause these conditions, healthcare providers should consider neurodevelopmental assessments in children with a history of FS.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Clinical Neurophysiology
Background:
- Febrile seizures (FS) are common in early childhood.
- Association between FS and neurodevelopmental disorders is recognized.
- Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations (ESSENCE) is a recognized clinical concept.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct clinical developmental phenotyping in children aged four to five years with a history of febrile seizures.
- To investigate the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children with FS.
- To explore the relationship between FS characteristics and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 157 children with FS was identified.
- 73 children participated in detailed assessments including neuropaediatric evaluation, cognitive testing (WPPSI-III), motor skills assessment (Movement ABC), and parent questionnaires (FTF, SDQ).
- Hospital records were reviewed for relevant clinical information.
Main Results:
- One-third of children with FS exhibited at least one DSM-5 neurodevelopmental disorder or significant developmental challenges.
- Developmental issues spanned attention, activity regulation, behavior, speech/language, cognition, and motor functioning.
- No significant differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes were observed between children with single versus recurrent FS, or simple versus complex FS.
Conclusions:
- Febrile seizures are frequently associated with ESSENCE.
- The study found no evidence that FS causes ESSENCE.
- Healthcare professionals should consider the possibility of ESSENCE in children with a history of FS.
Aim:
Clinical developmental phenotyping of four- to five-year-old children with febrile seizures (FSs).
Methods:
Children with FS (n = 157, corresponding to 3.7% of the targeted general population of four-five-year-olds) had been identified at child healthcare centres in Gothenburg. Parents of 73 children (41 boys, 32 girls) accepted participation in the present study. The assessments included a neuropaediatric assessment, Movement ABC, Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-III and parent questionnaires (Five-to-Fifteen (FTF) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)). Hospital records were reviewed, when applicable.
Results:
One-third of the children had at least one DSM-5 neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis or marked developmental problems within areas of attention, activity regulation, behaviour, speech and language, general cognition or motor functioning. No differences were found between children with single vs recurrent or simple vs complex FS.
Conclusion:
Febrile seizure are relatively often associated with Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations (ESSENCEs). We found no indications that ESSENCE might be caused by FS per se. However, the results suggest that child healthcare professionals should consider the possibility of ESSENCE in children with a history of FS.
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