Treatment and outcome in patients with febrile convulsion associated with epileptiform discharges on electroencephalography.
The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of prophylactic treatment for patients with febrile convulsions (FCs) in whom electroencephalograms (EEGs) revealed epileptiform discharges. We retrospectively investigated 43 patients who met the following criteria: (a) at least one FC during the study period; (b) epileptiform discharges were first recognized; (c) no unevoked seizures before epileptiform discharges were first seen; (d) normal psychomotor development and no neurological abnormality; and (e) follow-up >3 years. The clinical characteristics, treatment, and a later occurrence of FCs or unevoked seizures were studied. EEGs revealed focal epileptiform discharges in 25 patients and generalized ones in 18. There was no significant difference in the rate of recurrence of FC or occurrence of unevoked seizures between those with focal and generalized epileptiform discharges. No prophylaxis was performed in ten patients, 14 patients being treated with intermittent diazepam and 19 with a daily anticonvulsant. The rate of recurrence of FC was not significantly different between patients with and without prophylaxis. Unevoked seizures were only observed in two patients undergoing daily treatment. Intermittent or daily anticonvulsant therapy will not reduce the risk of recurrence of FCs or later development of unevoked seizures in patients with FC with epileptiform discharges.
Okumura
Akihisa
A
Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan. okumura@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Ishiguro
Yoshiko
Y
Sofue
Ayako
A
Suzuki
Yoshiko
Y
Maruyama
Koichi
K
Kubota
Tetsuo
T
Negoro
Tamiko
T
Watanabe
Kazuyoshi
K
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003975:Diazepam