title: [Febrile seizures: current understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms].
abstract: Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common etiology of seizure in infants and children. The pathophysiological mechanisms are not clearly understood. We review the current factors that are thought to be involved in FS occurrence. Genetic factors, a fever component (immune response to infection and rise in body temperature), and neurotopic viruses are discussed. There are currently no data supporting the notion that a rapid rise in temperature provokes FS. Regarding the available data, it is obvious that several factors act together to induce FS.
authors.affiliation: Service de neurologie pédiatrique et des maladies métaboliques, hôpital Robert-Debré, AP-HP, 48, boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France. auvin@invivo.edu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Auvin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vallée
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005334:Fever / Q000517:prevention & control; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D009154:Mutation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*