Febrile convulsions – Should I take anti-epileptic drugs for febrile convulsions?

  FS is mostly self-limiting convulsive seizures, and continuous or intermittent antiepileptic G therapy is usually not recommended for children with first or multiple SFS based on the possible adverse effects of the medication and the lack of evidence of long-term efficacy. Parents should be informed that SFS does not have long-term adverse consequences and should also be informed about the risk of FS recurrence and seizure G recurrence and instructed on how to manage acute seizures and observe post-seizure status.  Most FS are short-lived, single seizures and can be treated without anti-convulsive therapy. If the duration of the convulsive seizure is >5 min, medication is needed as soon as possible to stop the convulsions. Rectal diazepam is simple, rapid, safe, and effective and is the first-line treatment for long-duration FS seizures. In cases where intravenous access cannot or is difficult to establish immediately, midazolam intramuscularly also has a good anti-stunning effect. In cases of FSE, intravenous medication is required for aggressive anti-stunning and close monitoring of post-ictal status.  Intermittent dosing, i.e., intermittent oral or rectal diazepam use during febrile illness, may also be considered in children with PFS, FSE, or CFS who are at risk for recurrence or in cases of SFS with multiple episodes causing parental stress. According to current known research data, the presence or absence of antiepileptic G therapy does not change the probability of future epileptic G. Long-term antiepileptic G therapy is considered only for children predicted to be at high risk for epileptic G.  Antipyretics may reduce the child’s discomfort and parental anxiety, but they do not reduce the risk of FS recurrence. Therefore, parents should be advised that there is no need to be overly aggressive with antipyretic medications. The etiology of the fever should be actively sought while managing the convulsions, and sometimes etiologic treatment is more important than controlling the convulsions. The appropriate treatment plan should be developed and aggressively treated based on the etiology formulated or determined during the diagnostic process to prevent recurrent convulsions. In summary, FS is an excluded diagnosis, and special attention should be paid to the differentiation from intracranial infection. For children with a history of FS or a family history of FS, it is important to be alert and inform the family of the possibility of recurrence. In children with “unusual” FS, a high degree of caution is needed for the specific G syndrome. Effective treatment is based on a clear etiology and good patient-doctor communication.