familial febrile seizures 7

Characteristics of Febrile Seizures in Children

During a febrile seizure, the child's body usually becomes stiff, they lose consciousness and their arms and legs twitch. Some children may wet themselves during this time.

• The child's body becomes stiff
• Loss of consciousness
• Arms and legs twitching

This is a normal response to high fever in young kids. These seizures are usually not a cause for concern and stop on their own once the fever subsides.

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Signs and Symptoms of Familial Febrile Seizures

Familial febrile seizures are a type of febrile seizure that tends to run in families. Children who have a family history of febrile seizures are more likely to experience them themselves. The signs and symptoms of familial febrile seizures include:

• Multiple seizures: Children with a family history of febrile seizures are more likely to have multiple seizures, rather than just one.
• Early sign of illness: Familial febrile seizures often occur early in the course of an illness, before other symptoms become apparent.

According to [7], children whose family members had febrile seizures are more likely to have more than one seizure. This suggests that there may be a genetic component to febrile seizures, and that some families may be more prone to them due to their genetic makeup.

It's worth noting that while familial febrile seizures can be concerning for parents, they are generally not a cause for alarm. Most children with febrile seizures, including those with a family history, recover completely and do not experience any long-term health problems.

Diagnostic Tests for Familial Febrile Seizures

Familial febrile seizures, also known as Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+), can be diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation and genetic testing.

• Clinical Evaluation: A healthcare provider will review the child's medical history and perform a physical exam to assess for any underlying conditions that may be contributing to the febrile seizures. [7]
• Genetic Testing: Molecular genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis of GEFS+. This type of testing involves analyzing DNA from blood or a cheek swab to identify specific genetic mutations associated with the condition. [8]

Tests Not Recommended

Routine diagnostic tests, such as laboratory tests, neuroimaging, and electroencephalography (EEG), are not recommended for simple febrile seizures. However, EEG may be done if febrile seizures have focal features or are recurrent. [9][10]

Diagnostic Evaluation

A diagnostic evaluation based on the underlying disorder is done in cases where febrile seizures have focal features or are recurrent. This evaluation involves assessing the child's medical history and performing a physical exam to identify any underlying conditions that may be contributing to the febrile seizures. [6]

Treatment Options for Familial Febrile Seizures

According to medical research, there are limited treatment options available for familial febrile seizures. The primary goal of treatment is to manage the symptoms and prevent further seizures.

• Antiepileptic medications: These medications may be prescribed in cases where febrile seizures last longer than 5 minutes or recur frequently. However, continuous or intermittent antiepileptic medications are not recommended after a first febrile seizure due to potential adverse effects [7].
• Fever management: Treatment for the fever is started once the seizure has stopped, usually with oral or rectal acetaminophen or ibuprofen [8]. These fever-reducing medicines may not prevent febrile seizures but can help manage the symptoms.
• Prophylactic drug management: Some studies have investigated the use of prophylactic medications to prevent febrile seizures in children. However, the effectiveness and safety of these treatments are still being researched [15].

It's essential to note that the decision to prescribe medication should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the individual child's medical history, symptoms, and other factors.

References: [7] DK Smith (2019) - Continuous or intermittent antiepileptic medications are not recommended after a first febrile seizure because of potential adverse effects. [8] Sep 13, 2023 - Fever treatment – After the seizure has stopped, treatment for the fever is started, usually by giving oral or rectal acetaminophen or ibuprofen... [15] Familial history and recurrence of febrile seizures; a systematic review and meta-analysis...

The differential diagnosis for familial febrile seizures, also known as Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+), includes several conditions that can present similarly to febrile seizures. Some of these conditions include:

• Acute bacterial meningitis: This is a serious infection that requires immediate medical attention. It can cause fever, headache, and stiff neck, among other symptoms.
• Viral meningitis: This is another type of infection that can cause similar symptoms to acute bacterial meningitis.
• Viral encephalitis: This is an inflammation of the brain caused by a viral infection. It can cause fever, headache, confusion, and seizures.

It's essential to consider these conditions in the differential diagnosis for familial febrile seizures, especially if the child has a fever and other symptoms such as headache or stiff neck [8].

In addition to these infectious causes, other conditions that may be considered in the differential diagnosis of familial febrile seizures include:

• Genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+): This is a familial syndrome characterized by the presence of febrile seizures in an individual with a family history of seizures/epilepsy.
• Simple febrile seizures: These are generalized seizures lasting less than 15 minutes and not recurring during a 24-hour period.

A correct differential diagnosis from febrile seizures leads to an appropriate treatment, possibly preventing further severe complications [13].

References: [7] Children up to age six may be at risk of febrile seizures if present in the family history. Learn more about the symptoms at the Epilepsy Foundation. [8] Aug 2, 2022 — Differentials · Acute bacterial meningitis · Viral meningitis · Viral encephalitis. [13] A correct differential diagnosis from febrile seizures (FS) leads to an appropriate treatment, possibly preventing further severe complications. With the exclusion of infectious agents in the brain, the association of seizures with fever was recognized as FS, ... Genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus ...