Presentation
In this study relationship of positive family history of convulsions to the type of febrile convulsions and age at presentation was studied. [ayubmed.edu.pk]
Although EEG changes can be present post simple febrile seizure, these are not indicative of any long term morbidity or development of epilepsy. CNS Imaging: Imaging is not recommended for the first presentation of a simple febrile seizure. [learn.pediatrics.ubc.ca]
It is imperative that the nurse observe, assess and document the presenting characteristics of the febrile convulsion (see Table 1). [inmo.ie]
FS are not considered a form of epilepsy, but a FS can be the first presentation of subsequent epilepsy. At this time it is not possible to predict which child will develop an a febrile seizure after presenting with FS [ 7 ]. [omicsonline.org]
Background Diagnostic approach Outcome / prognosis Discharge check Assessment 6 /12 old Assessment 6 - 18 months old Assessment 18 months Management / referral Differential Dx Advice sheet Links If the child is still fitting at the time of presentation [emed.ie]
Workup
Physicians recommend that newborns less than four weeks of age with fever be admitted to the hospital and administered antibiotics until a complete workup can be done to rule out bacterial infection or other serious illness. [encyclopedia.com]
Although this may have happened to a small degree, it is uncommon for a child with a first febrile seizure not to be referred to an emergency department for a full sepsis workup, including a lumbar puncture. [nejm.org]
Treatment
Some of the services we provide include: • Brachial Plexus Palsy treatment • Cerebral Palsy treatment • Epilepsy treatment • General Neurology treatment • Movement Disorders treatment • Neurofibromatosis Center treatment • Stroke treatment • Tuberous [neuro.wustl.edu]
Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. [betterhealth.vic.gov.au]
Most febrile seizures end spontaneously and do not require any treatment. If seizures persist after five minutes or present as complex febrile seizures, however, IV benzodiazepines are the treatment of choice. [amboss.com]
Treatment Treatment very much depends on the seizure type or types each person has. For children (and adults) who only have febrile convulsions, regular treatment with epilepsy medicines is not usually required. [epilepsy.org.uk]
Treatment Children will eventually outgrow febrile seizures. The treatment goal is to manage fevers that may cause seizures. This may be done by treating the underlying infection. The treatments may include medication. [cancercarewny.com]
Prognosis
Prognosis in children with febrile seizures. Pediatrics. 1978;61:720-727. 2. Cross JH. Fever and fever-related epilepsies. Epilepsia. 2012;53(suppl 4):3-8. 3. [uspharmacist.com]
Prognosis [ 1, 14 ] Generally the prognosis is very good: By definition, febrile seizures do not recur beyond the age of 5 years approximately. [patient.info]
Outcome & Prognosis The parents should be counselled fully (nearly all parents think that their child is dying during the first febrile fit). The recurrence risk is less than 30% (1 in 6 have three fits or more). [emed.ie]
Commissionon Epidemiology and Prognosis, International League Against Epilepsy [editorial]. Epilepsia 1993; 34(4): 592-6. Waruiru C, Appleton R. Febrile seizures: an update. Arch Dis Child 2004; 89(8): 751-6. Berg AT. [acta.tums.ac.ir]
Etiology
These entities may have similar genetic etiologies, with de novo mutations responsible for the lack of family history in self-limited neonatal seizures. [epilepsydiagnosis.org]
[…] after first febrile seizure include: Developmental or neurologic abnormalities prior to the febrile seizure Atypical first febrile seizure Family history of afebrile seizures Outside of the 3mth-5yr age group, febrile seizures are uncommon and other etiologies [learn.pediatrics.ubc.ca]
The etiology is thought to relate to the effect of fever on ion channels in the cardiac cell membrane responsible for excitation and relaxation of the cell. Post mortem diagnosis requires a molecular autopsy which is routinely not performed. [sudc.org]
Recent literature documented the presence of human herpes simplex virus 6 (HHSV-6) as the etiologic agent in roseola in about 20% of a group of patients presenting with their first febrile seizures. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Acute symptomatic seizures – incidence and etiological spectrum: a hospital based study from south India. Seizure. 1999;8(3):162-5. Srilatha D. [id-press.eu]
Epidemiology
References: [1] [2] [3] Epidemiology References: [4] Epidemiological data refers to the US, unless otherwise specified. Pathophysiology The exact pathophysiological mechanisms of febrile seizures are not known. [amboss.com]
Guidelines for epidemiologic studies on epilepsy. Commissionon Epidemiology and Prognosis, International League Against Epilepsy [editorial]. Epilepsia 1993; 34(4): 592-6. Waruiru C, Appleton R. Febrile seizures: an update. [acta.tums.ac.ir]
Tsuboi T (1984) Epidemiology of febrile and afebrile convulsions in children in Japan. Neurology 34: 175-181. Berg AT, Shinnar S (1994) The contributions of epidemiology to the understanding of childhood seizures and epilepsy. [omicsonline.org]
[Guideline] Guidelines for epidemiologic studies on epilepsy. Commission on Epidemiology and Prognosis, International League Against Epilepsy. Epilepsia. 1993 Jul-Aug. 34(4):592-6. [Medline]. Matsuo M, Sasaki K, Ichimaru T, Nakazato S, Hamasaki Y. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Epidemiology 3% of children will have a febrile convulsion between the age of 6 months and 5 years Genetic component – the risk rises to 10% in individuals with a firth degree relative with a history of febrile seizures. [almostadoctor.co.uk]
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology The exact pathophysiological mechanisms of febrile seizures are not known. [amboss.com]
Finding genetic risk factors for Febrile Seizures would help get some understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and might give us a new perspective on how to approach other epilepsies that also have an inflammatory component. [epilepsygenetics.net]
The pathophysiology is unknown but a family history may suggest genetic susceptibility. Febrile seizures do not represent brain abnormalities, perhaps only a lower seizure threshold, and carry excellent long-term prognoses. [learn.pediatrics.ubc.ca]
Pathophysiology Febrile seizures occur in young children at a time in their development when the seizure threshold is low. [emedicine.medscape.com]
[…] also been associated with an increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 5, 6 Other common risk factors include parental age, 7, 8 family history, and genetic factors; 9, 10 and this scenario has led to a hypothesis of a common pathophysiological [pediatrics.aappublications.org]
Prevention
However, researchers have found that these medications may not necessarily prevent febrile seizures. [drgreene.com]
This includes observing the patient before, during, and after each convulsion, and when possible, preventing or minimizing environmental factors and events in the patient's daily life that are believed to precipitate a seizure. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
Can febrile seizures be prevented or avoided? Maybe, but many doctors believe the risk of side effects from seizure medicines are worse than your child having another febrile seizure. Even if medicine is used, it may not prevent another seizure. [familydoctor.org]
In a randomized study of 79 children, phenobarbital 5 mg/kg/day was more effective than placebo for preventing seizure recurrence (5% vs. 25% had recurrence). [uspharmacist.com]
Medicine won't prevent him from developing epilepsy. Unfortunately, it is difficult to prevent febrile convulsions. [familyeducation.com]