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Neurodevelopmental problems in children with febrile seizures followed to young school age: A prospective
Gill Nilsson1, Sebastian Lundström1, Elisabeth Fernell1
1Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Insights
Children with a history of febrile seizures (FS) showed high rates of neurodevelopmental problems, with 41% affected by age 4-5 or 9-10 years. Further research is needed to determine if FS is a marker for these complex conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Child Neurology
Background:
- Febrile seizures (FS) are common in childhood.
- The long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with FS require further investigation.
- Understanding the accumulated prevalence of neurodevelopmental problems is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the accumulated prevalence of neurodevelopmental problems in children with a history of febrile seizures (FS) from preschool to school age.
- To assess the neurodevelopmental trajectory in a cohort of children with FS.
- To identify potential risk factors or markers for neurodevelopmental disorders in this population.
Main Methods:
- A community-based cohort study of children with a history of FS.
- Clinical assessments at 4-5 years to identify neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Parental interviews using the Autism-Tics, ADHD and other Comorbidities (A-TAC) inventory at 9-10 years.
- Analysis of neurodevelopmental problem rates in participants and non-participants.
Main Results:
- At 4-5 years, 25/73 children met diagnostic criteria or showed major indications of neurodevelopmental disorders.
- A trend for higher ADHD symptom scores was observed in the FS group.
- The accumulated prevalence of neurodevelopmental problems by age 9-10 years was 41% (30/73), considering issues at either assessment period.
- Non-participants at 9-10 years had significantly higher rates of neurodevelopmental problems at 4-5 years.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion (41%) of children with a history of FS experience neurodevelopmental problems between preschool and school age.
- The high rate of problems in non-participants suggests potential underestimation of the true prevalence.
- While FS may be associated with neurodevelopmental issues, further longitudinal follow-up is necessary to establish a definitive link and consider FS as a marker for complex neurodevelopmental problems.
Aim:
To estimate the accumulated prevalence of neurodevelopmental problems from preschool to school age in children with a history of febrile seizures (FS).
Methods:
In a community-based cohort of children with previous FS, 25/73 clinically assessed children met diagnostic criteria for neurodevelopmental disorders or had major indications of such problems at the age of 4-5 years. Parents of 54 of the 73 children accepted to take part in an interview according to the Autism-Tics, ADHD and other Comorbidities (A-TAC) inventory, when the children were 9-10 years.
Results:
There was a trend for ADHD symptom scores to be higher in the FS group. Non-participants at age 9-10 years had had much higher rates of neurodevelopmental problems at 4-5 years, and the total number of such problems at either 4-5 or age 9-10 was 41% (30/73).
Conclusion:
High rates of neurodevelopmental problems (41%) were found at either age 4-5 or 9-10 years or both in this group of 73 children with FS. Non-participants at 9-10 years had had much higher rates of neurodevelopmental problems at 4-5 years. Further follow-up of this cohort is needed before definite conclusions can be drawn about whether FS should be considered a marker for more complex neurodevelopmental problems.
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