ABSTRACT
Febrile seizures (FSs), triggered by fever in the absence of intracranial infection, usually occur between 3 months and 5 years of age. Factors that have been associated with an increased risk of later afebrile seizures include abnormalities in the newborn period, a family history of mental retardation, and an initial FS that was focal. Although the great majority of FSs already have ceased by the time the child is seen by a physician, on occasion seizure activity is still ongoing; in such circumstances, it must be treated aggressively. Major risk factors for later afebrile seizures include: FSs that are complex, an abnormal neurologic state before the first FS, and epilepsy in parents or siblings or both. Most studies have shown three drugs taken orally to be effective in the prevention of FS recurrences: phenobarbital; primidone; and valproate. Comparison of these three medications has shown them to be of comparable efficacy, each preventing at least 80% of recurrences.
