Neurology

What characterizes Febrile Seizures (FS)?

FS occur in neurologically healthy infants and children between 6-60 months with a temperature ≥ 38°C, not due to CNS infection or metabolic disturbance, and without prior afebrile seizures.

What differentiates Simple Febrile Seizures from Complex Febrile Seizures?

Simple FS are generalized (usually tonic-clonic), last ≤ 15 minutes and are not recurrent within 24 hours, whereas Complex FS have features such as focal onset, duration > 15 minutes, or are recurrent within 24 hours.

What is Febrile Status Epilepticus?

Febrile Status Epilepticus is defined as a febrile seizure lasting > 30 minutes.

What are the major criteria for risk factors of recurrence in Febrile Seizures?

Major criteria include age < 1 year, fever 38-39°C, and fever duration < 24 hours.

Which risk factor has the highest percentage for subsequent epilepsy in Focal Complex FS?

Focal complex FS have a risk of 29% for subsequent epilepsy.

What is recommended during the assessment of a patient with a Febrile Seizure?

Determine the cause of fever, perform relevant investigations, and assess risk factors for recurrence and epilepsy.

What is the treatment approach for Febrile Status Epilepticus?

The treatment includes IV benzodiazepines, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or valproate.

What education should be provided to parents regarding management of long seizures?

Educate parents on handling seizures that last > 5 minutes with rectal diazepam or buccal/intranasal midazolam.

What is the prevention strategy for children experiencing Febrile Seizures?

Prevention may involve intermittent prophylaxis with oral diazepam or rectal suppositories during febrile illnesses or chronic antiepileptic therapy for high-risk cases.

What is the prevalence of Simple Febrile Seizures leading to subsequent epilepsy?

The prevalence is 1% for Simple FS.