title: Febrile seizures: a new look at an old controversy.
abstract: The benign nature of febrile seizures (FS) has been well documented by large prospective population-based studies published between 1976 to 1987. However, many paediatricians still treat FS as though it is a serious condition which may cause brain damage, and epileptologists and neurosurgeons continue to debate the role of FS in causing temporal lobe epilepsy. The efficacy of long-term anticonvulsant therapy has recently been questioned and the possibility of permanent cognitive impairment after long-term phenobarbital has caused public alarm. This article attempts to review the areas of controversy and suggest a rational approach to the investigation and management of FS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012008:Recurrence; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants