Recommendations for the management of "febrile seizures" Ad hoc Task Force of LICE Guidelines Commission

Febrile seizures are the most common seizure disorder in childhood, affecting 2-5% of children. Simple febrile seizure is defined as a short (< 15 min) generalized seizure, not recurring within 24 h, that occurs during a febrile illness not resulting from an acute disease of the nervous system in a child aged between 6 months and 5 years, with no neurologic deficits and no previous afebrile seizures. These recommendations address the instructions for management of the first febrile seizures, giving criteria for hospital admission, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of a prolonged seizure. The authors stressed the benign prognosis of the majority of cases and the risk factors for recurrence of febrile seizures and appearance of epilepsy later on. Both continuous and intermittent anticonvulsant therapy are efficacious in preventing single febrile seizures, but side effects may be so important to overcome the benefits. These treatments are indicated in very selected patients.