Description

Certain factors can help identify a child with a history of febrile seizures who is at risk for development of epilepsy. A child at increased risk might be monitored more closely.


 

Risk factors for development of epilepsy following a febrile seizure:

(1) a developmental or neurological abnormality prior to the febrile seizure

(2) initial febrile seizures with one or more complex features

 

Criteria for a complex febrile seizure: one or more of the following:

(1) duration > 15 minutes

(2) multiple (repeated episodes) within a 24 hour period

(3) focal features (as opposed to a generalized seizure)

 

number of complex features

risk of unprovoked seizures

0

2.4%

1

6-8%

2

17-22%

3

49%

from Annegers et al (1987)

 


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