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Cognitive functioning in a representative cohort of preschool children with febrile seizures
Eva Billstedt1,2, Gill Nilsson1,2, Lotta Leffler1,3
1Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Insights
Children with early onset or recurrent febrile seizures (FS) may face challenges in cognitive functioning, particularly verbal and processing speed. Early identification and follow-up are recommended for these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Febrile seizures (FS) are common in young children.
- The long-term cognitive impact of FS, especially concerning specific seizure characteristics, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze cognitive functioning in 4-5-year-old children with a history of febrile seizures (FS).
- To assess the influence of complex, recurrent, and early-onset (before 12 months) versus late-onset FS on cognitive outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Cognitive assessment of 73 children with FS (aged 4-5 years) from Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Comparison of cognitive abilities (general cognitive ability, visual memory, attention) with age norms and a control group of 20 children without FS.
Main Results:
- Four children (out of 73) exhibited results consistent with mild to moderate intellectual disability.
- Children with early-onset FS (before 12 months), often associated with recurrent seizures, demonstrated lower full-scale, verbal, and processing speed IQ scores compared to those with later onset.
Conclusions:
- Early-onset and recurrent febrile seizures (FS) may indicate an elevated risk for impaired verbal and processing speed cognitive functions.
- Children experiencing these FS types may benefit from specialized neuropaediatric and neuropsychological follow-up to address potential cognitive and executive dysfunctions.
Aim:
To analyse cognitive functioning in 4-5-year-old children who had experienced febrile seizures (FS) and to assess the importance of complex, recurrent and early vs late onset FS.
Methods:
The sample consisted of 73 children, screen positive for FS, drawn from the general child population of 4-year-old children attending their health check-up at child healthcare centres in Gothenburg, Sweden. They were assessed as regards general cognitive ability, visual memory and attention and were contrasted with age norms and with results obtained in 20 children without FS from the same healthcare centres.
Results:
Of the 73 children, two had a previously diagnosed intellectual disability (ID) (one mild, one moderate) and two further children tested within the study had results corresponding to mild ID. Children with early onset of FS (before age 12 months)-who often had recurrent FS-had lower full-scale, verbal and processing speed IQ than those who had later onset of FS.
Conclusion:
Children with early onset of FS and particularly those with recurrent FS may be at increased risk for poorer verbal and processing speed functioning and therefore at risk of developing cognitive, executive dysfunctions. They would probably benefit from neuropaediatric and neuropsychological follow-up.
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