Febrile Seizures in Children: A Review

Aakriti Tiwari1, Revat J Meshram1, Rakshit Kumar Singh1

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, IND.

Cureus
|December 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Febrile seizures (FSs) are common in young children and usually benign. This review covers FSs, including their types, causes, and management, aiming to reduce parental anxiety.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • Epileptology

Background:

  • Febrile seizures (FSs) are the most common neurological disorder in infants and young children.
  • FSs typically occur between 6 months and 5 years of age, peaking between 12-18 months.
  • While generally benign, FSs cause significant parental distress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of febrile seizures.
  • To detail the epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of FSs.
  • To clarify the classification and associated conditions of FSs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on febrile seizures.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data and risk factors.
  • Discussion of pathophysiological mechanisms, including inflammatory mediators.

Main Results:

  • FSs are classified into simple, complex, and extended types, with febrile status epilepticus as a subtype of complex FS.
  • Certain FS types, like simple FSs, are linked to an increased risk of temporal lobe epilepsy.
  • Inflammatory mediators such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF are implicated in fever induction during FSs.

Conclusions:

  • Febrile seizures are a common, typically benign condition in young children.
  • Understanding the various types, causes, and management strategies for FSs is crucial.
  • This review aims to inform healthcare providers and reduce parental anxiety associated with FSs.

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