Febrile seizures: a review for family physicians

Abstract

Febrile seizures are the most common cause of convulsions in children. Most are simple in nature, although those with focal onset, prolonged duration ((3)15 min) or those that recur within 24 h or within the same febrile illness are considered complex. Diagnosis of this condition is essentially clinical and based on its description provided by parents. Its pathophysiology remains unclear, but genetics plays a major role in conferring susceptibility. Although most febrile seizures are benign and associated with minor viral illnesses, it is critical that the child be evaluated immediately to reduce parental anxiety and to identify the cause of the fever. It is essential to exclude underlying pyogenic meningitis, either clinically or, if any doubt remains, by lumbar puncture. The risk of pyogenic meningitis is as low (< 1.3%) as the risk in a febrile child without seizures. After an initial febrile seizure (simple or complex), 3-12% of children develop epilepsy by adolescence. However, the risk of developing epilepsy after an initial simple febrile seizure is low (1.5-2.4%). Since the vast majority of children have a normal long-term outcome, antiepileptic medication is not recommended to prevent recurrence of febrile seizures. Oral diazepam or clobazam, given only when fever is present, is an effective means of reducing the risk of recurrence. The family physician can play an important role in counseling the parents that most febrile seizures are brief, do not require any specific treatment or extensive work-up, the probability of frequent or possibly threatening recurrences is low and the long-term prognosis is excellent.