A Review of Febrile Seizures: Recent Advances in Understanding of Febrile Seizure Pathophysiology and Commonly Implicated Viral Triggers

Febrile seizures are one of the commonest presentations in young children, with a 2–5% incidence in Western countries. Though they are generally benign, with rare long-term sequelae, there is much to be learned about their pathophysiology and risk factors. Febrile seizures are propagated by a variety of genetic and environmental factors, including viruses and vaccines. These factors must be taken into consideration by a clinician aiming to assess, diagnose and treat a child presenting with fevers and seizures, as well as to explain the sequelae of the febrile seizures to the concerned parents of the child. Our article provides an overview of this common childhood condition, outlining both the underlying mechanisms and the appropriate clinical approach to a child presenting with febrile seizures.

Clinical and Laboratory Findings of Viral Influenza among Children Hospitalized in Qazvin Pediatric Hospital in Iran, 2015-2020

Background: Children are one of the most important groups at risk of catching the influenza infection. The consequences of influenza in some children, especially children with chronic and underlying diseases, can be very severe and lead to hospitalization. Objective: Purpose of this research was to determine children with influenza and their clinical and laboratory findings in Qazvin children hospital between 2015 to 2020 years. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, epidemiological and clinical finding of children hospitalized due to confirmed influenza were considered. A total of 1468 children with a suspected diagnosis to influenza were included in this study. Then, based on the Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) a total of 229 were confirmed positive to influenza. Statistical analysis was done using software SPSS 23.0, Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) and t-test (p≤0.05). Results: Most of patients (53.7%) were infected with influenza H1N1 type. Most comorbidity was observed with Central Nervous System (CNS) disease and febrile seizure (each one 3.10%). Highest clinical feature was fever (83.4%). Significant relationship was observed between the season (p=0.001), sore in throat (p=0.001), febrile seizure (p=0.051), muscle and joint pain (p=0.059), rhinorrhea (p=0.006) and shiver (p=0.051) and occurrence of influenza. Also 4 children had died from influenza during hospitalization. Conclusion: Children with influenza disease were found in this study. Influenza has some side effects on children health. Due to the irreversible and dangerous effects of the influenza, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment in children is important.

PROFILE OF HISTORY OF FEBRILE SEIZURE IN PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY

Background: Febrile seizure is convulsions with fever (temperature ³38°C) with no central nervous system infection that commonly found in children (6-60 months). Febrile seizures do not always mean the child has epilepsy. However, febrile seizures can be a possible long-term risk factor for epilepsy. Objective: The objective of this study is to know the profile of febrile seizure in patients with epilepsy. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study on 23 patients with epilepsy in the EEG Department of Neurology, Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia in the period 2018-2019 based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The total number of epilepsy patients is 849 patients, 216 of whom had a history of febrile seizure. Among 216 epilepsy patients who had a history of febrile seizures, 23 of them were qualified as the sample. The sampling technique used was total population sampling. The instrument of this research is the patients’ medical record. Data analysis is carried out descriptively. Results: The characteristics of the history of febrile seizures that found in patients with epilepsy are more patients are male, have the age of onset on less than 2 years old, have the body temperature more than 38.3°C, have the seizure duration less than 15 minutes, have focal seizures, have recurrent seizures in 24 hours, have a history of more than one febrile seizure, have accompanying neurological disorders, and have no family history of epilepsy. Conclusion: Febrile seizure is still becoming a concern because there is a possibility that it may develop into epilepsy. Even though, not all children who experience febrile seizure will generate epilepsy.

The rationality behind performance of routine lumber puncture in simple febrile seizure in 6-18 months old children

Background: Pediatrics seizures can be either due to febrile seizure or underlying serious infection such as meningitis. It is important to rule out meningitis in children presenting with fever and seizure. The aim of the study was conducted to assess the necessity of routine lumber puncture and to determine the incidence of meningitis among children aged 6 to 18 months presenting with first episode of febrile seizure.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted among 47 children with first episode of simple febrile seizure presenting to emergency in Medical College Kolkata, West Bengal from April 2018 to September 2019.Results: Total 47 children were studied among 32 (68%) children were between 6-12 months and 15 (32%) were between 12-18 months of age. Only 1 child (2.1%) diagnosed as meningitis. Clinically 7 children (14.9%) showed signs of sepsis and meningitis like picture and 6 children (12.8%) were in 6-12 months of age and only 1 child (2.1%) was in 12-18month of age. Only 1 child in 6-12 months of age showed CSF positive and all other CSF studies were within normal limit. A significant association was seen between age group and hyponatremia and family history of febrile seizure (p<0.05). There was no statically significant between clinical diagnosis and CSF results (p=0.15).Conclusions: The risk of meningitis in children presenting with simple febrile seizure between 6-18 months of age is very low, specially in 12-18 months of age. Therefore, current guidelines regarding lumber puncture in simple febrile seizure should be reconsidered.

Change in hippocampal volume in children with febrile seizure at different periods

Background This study aimed to investigate the change of hippocampal volume in children at different periods after febrile seizure. Methods MRI of the brain was performed in 60 children with febrile seizure (30 patients with simple febrile seizure and 30 patients with prolonged febrile seizure) and in 30 healthy children. The volume of the hippocampus was tested and compared at different periods after febrile seizure. Results The volumes of hippocampus in the two febrile seizure groups increased compared with that of the control group in acute period after seizure. There was no obvious difference in hippocampal volume between the simple febrile seizure group and the prolonged febrile seizure group in the acute or chronic period after seizure. The average annual growth of hippocampal volume in the simple febrile seizure group was greater than that in the prolonged febrile seizure group. Conclusions Febrile seizure can affect hippocampus volume in the acute stage of convulsion. Prolonged febrile seizure affects hippocampus development with aging.

Association of Serum Zinc Level with Febrile Seizures in Children

Introduction: Febrile seizure (FS), previously known as febrile convulsion, is the most common seizure in children. FS usually occurs between six months and five years of age. Aims and objectives: The main objective of the study is to find the association of serum zinc level with febrile seizures in children of Pakistan. Material and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore during June 2020 to January 2021. The data was collected from 164 patients of both genders. Results: The data was collected from 164 patients. In the case group, 46 children were male (53.3%), and 36 children (46.7%) were female. In the control group 44 children were male (43.3%) and 38 children were female (56.7%). The age of all participants was between one months and six years. Conclusion: It is concluded that low serum zinc levels are fairly un-sufficient to support the hypothesis that Zinc deficiency could not be a potential risk factor for febrile seizure in children.

Febrile seizures: perceptions and knowledge of parents of affected and unaffected children

Febrile seizures (FS) in children are common, but little is known about parents’ perceptions and knowledge of FS. We interviewed parents of children aged 6 months to 6 years affected by FS (FS group, 65 parents) or unaffected (control group, 54 parents). In the FS group, 32% said they knew their child had an FS when the first event occurred, and 89% described fear when the child had a seizure, with a median intensity of 10/10 (Q25/Q75: 9/10). Related to follow-up, 77% in the FS group (will) observe their child more carefully after the first seizure happened, and 63% (will) give antipyretics earlier at a median temperature of 38.2 °C (100.8 °F). In the FS group, 62% were unaware of FS before the first event (54% of control group did not know about FS thus far, n.s.). In the FS group, 20% would put a solid object in the mouth of a child having a seizure (control group, 39%, p = 0.030), and 92% would administer an available anti-seizure rescue medication (control group, 78%, p = 0.019). In the FS group, 71% feared that children with FS might suffocate (control group, 70%, n.s.).Conclusion: Information about FS and their management should be more available to improve parents’ coping and patient safety. What is Known:• Febrile seizures in children are common.• The prognosis of children suffering from febrile seizures is usually rather good. What is New:• Over half of parents had not informed themselves about febrile seizures so far; and only 32% of parents realized their child had a febrile seizure when it occurred.• Most parents described own fear with a median intensity of 10/10; and 63% (will) give antipyretics earlier at a median temperature of 38.2 °C (100.8 °F).

Role of SCN2A c.56G/A Gene Polymorphism in Egyptian Children with Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizure Plus

Background: Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common seizures in children younger than 5 years. In the last decade, various coding and noncoding sequence variations of voltage-gated sodium channels SCN2A have been identified in patients with seizures, implying their genetic base. We aimed to evaluate the association between SCN2A c. G/A genetic polymorphism among Egyptian children with febrile seizure plus. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 epileptic infants and children, attendants of the Neurology Unit, pediatric department, Menoufia University Hospitals (Group Ι). The patients were sub-classified into two groups, according to response to anti-epileptic treatment; Group Ι a (drug responder) and Group Ι b (drug-resistant). Evenly divided number of apparently healthy, age and gender-matched children were selected as controls (Group II). A complete history, throughout the systemic examination and radiological & metabolic assessment, whenever needed was provided, all participants were genotyped for SCN2A rs17183814polymorphism by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: Both of A allele and AA, GA genotypes of SCN2A c. 56 G/A were detected more in patients with febrile seizure plus comparison to the control group with a statistically significant difference at frequencies of 17% and 11% and 12% respectively; OR (CI95%): 10.04 (3.49-28.87) and p <0.001. On classifying epileptic patients into 2 subgroups, carriers of SCN2A rs17183814 AA genotype tended to respond poorly to anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed that rs17183814 A allele and positive family history of epilepsy were considered the highest predicted risk factors for the development of epilepsy p<0.05. Conclusion: SCN2A rs17183814 (A) allele was specifically associated with developing febrile seizure plus and could modulate the patient's response to anti-epileptic medications.