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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy
10:22

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome: Duration of Therapeutic Coma and Treatment Intensity Correlate With

Janina Soler Wenglein1, Andreas Heidenreich2, Rasmus Hilbig3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Protestant Hospital of the Bethel Foundation, Medical School and University Medical Center East Westphalia-Lippe, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany; Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.

Pediatric Neurology
|July 31, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Increased antiseizure medications (ASMs) and longer therapeutic coma (TC) durations in Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) correlate with worse outcomes. Further research into FIRES pathogenesis is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Epileptology
  • Intensive Care Medicine

Background:

  • Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) is a rare, severe epileptic encephalopathy in children.
  • Characterized by refractory status epilepticus with unknown pathogenesis and poor outcomes.
  • This study focuses on acute phase treatments for status epilepticus in FIRES.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate associations between acute phase treatments (ASMs, therapeutic coma) and long-term functional outcomes in FIRES.
  • To examine the impact of treatment intensity on neurological outcomes and survival.
  • To identify potential factors influencing long-term prognosis in FIRES patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 93 children from a multicenter FIRES registry.
  • Assessed acute phase antiseizure medications (ASMs) and duration of therapeutic coma (TC).
  • Used modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for neurological outcomes; employed correlation and regression analyses.

Main Results:

  • Higher antiseizure medication (ASM) count was linked to worse outcomes (OR 1.52 per additional ASM).
  • Longer therapeutic coma (TC) duration correlated with more ASMs and higher mRS scores.
  • Increased acute treatment intensity was associated with inferior functional outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Increased acute treatment intensity and longer therapeutic coma (TC) durations are associated with worse functional outcomes in FIRES.
  • These findings are observational and likely confounded by underlying disease severity.
  • Highlight the need for research into FIRES pathogenesis and targeted therapies.
Abstract

Keywords:
Antiseizure medicationsEncephalopathyFIRESNORSEStatus epilepticusTherapeutic coma

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