Lynette G Sadlier et al 1 present an excellent clinical review on
febrile seizures. The article very effectively highlights all the major
areas of concerns.However we believe, providing information on the risk
factors associated with febrile seizures is particularly important to
relieve parental anxiety and apprehension related to fever and febrile
seizures . Indeed emphasising on good parental education coupled with the
possible etiological factors for febrile seizures would be invaluable.
Studies have shown significant genetic predisposition to the
development of febrile seizures. One such study revealed 2 that low birth
weight, repeated episodes of respiratory infections in early childhood and
or a positive family history for febrile seizure were all significant
risk factors. Also, positive family history is associated with earlier age
of onset and simple type convulsions.
Studies have also identified the environment as a risk factor but the
specific components within the environment have not been elucidated.Some
of this work has also looked at the association between prenatal exposure
to cigarette, alcohol & coffee and the risk of febrile seizures. Data
from these studies suggest that prenatal exposure to low to moderate
levels of alcohol and coffee has negligible influence on the risk of
febrile seizures, whereas effect of moderate smoking cannot be ruled out3.
While febrile seizures are mostly benign, there is no doubt that
parents experiencing their child having a febrile seizure is indeed a
frightening experience. So we believe that raising awareness about the
disorder, allaying parental fears, anxieties and addressing their concerns
about recurrence and long term consequences will be of significant value.
References:
1.Lynette G Sadlier, Ingrid E Scheffer. Febrile Seizures. BMJ 2007:334:307
-311
2.Bener-A, Al-Suweidi-E-E-K, Bessisso-M, Al-Gazali, Al-Khider-A:J-
PEDIATR-NEURO: Genetics and environmental risk factors associated with
febrile convulsion 2006:4:4:239-243
3.Vestergaard M, Wisborg K, Henriksen TB, Secher NJ. Ostergaard JR,
Olsen J: Paediatrics: Prenatal exposure to cigarette, alcohol, and coffee
and the risk for febrile seizures: 2005:116(5):1089-94
Rapid Response:
“Febrile convulsion-parental perspective”
Lynette G Sadlier et al 1 present an excellent clinical review on
febrile seizures. The article very effectively highlights all the major
areas of concerns.However we believe, providing information on the risk
factors associated with febrile seizures is particularly important to
relieve parental anxiety and apprehension related to fever and febrile
seizures . Indeed emphasising on good parental education coupled with the
possible etiological factors for febrile seizures would be invaluable.
Studies have shown significant genetic predisposition to the
development of febrile seizures. One such study revealed 2 that low birth
weight, repeated episodes of respiratory infections in early childhood and
or a positive family history for febrile seizure were all significant
risk factors. Also, positive family history is associated with earlier age
of onset and simple type convulsions.
Studies have also identified the environment as a risk factor but the
specific components within the environment have not been elucidated.Some
of this work has also looked at the association between prenatal exposure
to cigarette, alcohol & coffee and the risk of febrile seizures. Data
from these studies suggest that prenatal exposure to low to moderate
levels of alcohol and coffee has negligible influence on the risk of
febrile seizures, whereas effect of moderate smoking cannot be ruled out3.
While febrile seizures are mostly benign, there is no doubt that
parents experiencing their child having a febrile seizure is indeed a
frightening experience. So we believe that raising awareness about the
disorder, allaying parental fears, anxieties and addressing their concerns
about recurrence and long term consequences will be of significant value.
References:
1.Lynette G Sadlier, Ingrid E Scheffer. Febrile Seizures. BMJ 2007:334:307
-311
2.Bener-A, Al-Suweidi-E-E-K, Bessisso-M, Al-Gazali, Al-Khider-A:J-
PEDIATR-NEURO: Genetics and environmental risk factors associated with
febrile convulsion 2006:4:4:239-243
3.Vestergaard M, Wisborg K, Henriksen TB, Secher NJ. Ostergaard JR,
Olsen J: Paediatrics: Prenatal exposure to cigarette, alcohol, and coffee
and the risk for febrile seizures: 2005:116(5):1089-94
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests