BMJ  2007;334:307-311 (10 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.39087.691817.AE

Clinical Review

Febrile seizures

¹ Department of Paediatrics, Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand, ² Departments of Medicine and Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Austin Health and Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Seizures associated with fever are a common paediatric problem. Differentiation of febrile seizures from acute symptomatic seizures secondary to central nervous system infection or seizures triggered by fever in children with epilepsy is essential. The syndrome of febrile seizures is defined as seizures associated with fever in the absence of central nervous system infection or acute electrolyte imbalance in a young child.^w1 The prevalence of febrile seizures is between 3% and 8% in children up to 7 years of age.^{1 w2} Variation in prevalence relates to differences in case definitions, ascertainment methods, geographical variation, and cultural factors. Here we discuss the investigation, management, and outcome of febrile seizures.

Summary points Febrile seizures are the most common seizure disorder They are benign and have a normal cognitive outcome Febrile seizures recur in a third of children and are associated with a low risk of epilepsy Risk factors for epilepsy include complex febrile seizure, neurological . . . [Full text of this article]

Sources and selection criteria

Why and at what age do children have febrile seizures?

What is the relation of the fever to the seizure?

Features and duration of febrile seizures

When do febrile seizures recur?

What is the risk of epilepsy occurring?

Are febrile seizures and hippocampal sclerosis related?

Do febrile seizures affect cognition and behaviour?

What investigations should be done?

Lumbar puncture
Electroencephalography
Imaging
Blood chemistry analysis

Management

Immediate management
Prophylactic treatment

Summary

Tips for non-specialists
When does a child need to go to hospital?
Important management considerations for children with febrile seizures
Ongoing research aims
Additional educational resources
Reviews
Websites
Information resources for patients
A mother's perspective

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• (2008). When the child has a fever. DTB 46: 17-21 [Abstract] [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Time of occurrence of febrile seizures

Roberto Manfredini, et al.
bmj.com, 14 Feb 2007 [Full text]

“Febrile convulsion-parental perspective”

Pratima Jain, et al.
bmj.com, 17 Feb 2007 [Full text]

Cerebral Malaria should not be overlooked as a differential diagnosis to febrile convulsions in Tropics.

Neeru Gupta
bmj.com, 16 Apr 2007 [Full text]