Febrile seizures

A seizure accompanied by fever ( temp > = 100.4 ° F or 38° C by any methods ) without CNS infection that occurs in infants and children 6 through 60 months of age Occurs in 2-5 % of all children ( neurologically healthy ) Most common convulsive event in children < 60 months No previous neonatal or unprovoked seizure Simple febrile seizures represent 65-90 % of febrile seizures

SIMPLE Less than 15 mins Generalised tonic-clonic No previous neurological problems Do not not recur within 24 hrs ORwithin the same febrile illness No post-ictal pathology COMPLEX-Duration of > 15 mins Focal onset or focal features Recurrence within 24 hrs ORwithin same febrile illness Febrile status epilepticus + 30 mins

Risk factors first seizure- High fever Viral infection Developmental delay Day care attendance Family history○ 1ST degree relative who has had FS○ a relative with epilepsy Certain vaccinations - unclear if a risk factor or not ( Barlow et al- immunization is rarely followed by a febrile seizure )

Pathophysiology-Mechanism causing FS is poorly understood Heterogeneous condition with a complicated( yet unclear ) genetic and pathophysiological basis Rate of body temperature rise as a cause - frequently quoted theory but unsupported...