Semiology and evolution of the febrile seizures at the University Pediatric Hospital in Centro Habana

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe semiology, factors and criteria of risk of recurrence and development of epilepsy and the clinical evolution of patients with febrile seizures.

METHODS: Observational, prospective and descriptive study of the clinical features of febrile seizures was conducted in the period 01-2005-12-2013. It was obtained medical records and/or consultation of Neuropediatrics: personal history and relevant family, semiology of the crisis, factors and risk criteria; It allowed to classify them into simple and complex; watching the evolution of the children with recurrent and complex febrile seizures and use of preventive treatment.

RESULTS: Of 313 patients (185 male / female 128), 68 (21.7 %) had his first febrile crisis before the first year and 245 (78.3%) later that. 85.9 % was simple (17.5 % recurring) and complex 14.1 % (p = 0.000). The family history of febrile crisis (31.6 %) and first crisis prior to the first year (21.7 %) were the most frequent risk factors of recurrence. Risk criteria to develop epilepsy were below 16 % and the family history of epilepsy (15.6 %) the more preponderant. 19 patients evolved to related epileptic syndromes and 5 to Dravet syndrome. Preventive treatment was used in 45 patients (10-intermittent and 35continuous) with oral diazepam and valproic acid or phenobarbital. In patients with simple febrile seizures without use of continuous treatment, 17.5 % took more 3 crisis and none after 6 years (p=0.000).

CONCLUSIONS: The febrile seizures have a good prognosis in the short, medium and long term, are age-dependent and dominated the simple type. Continued treatment may be useful in the prevention of recurrence and not in the future development of epilepsy.