Do Febrile Seizures Influence Neurodevelopment?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Families are often concerned that febrile seizures may have negative effects on the neurodevelopment of their children. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the effects of febrile seizure on the neurodevelopment in children using the Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST). METHODS: This cross-sectional and prospective study included 28 patients hospitalized for febrile seizures during a six-month period. The children's age, sex, number of seizures, number of recurrences, and family history of seizure were recorded. The DDST was performed at admission (1st DDST) and one year later (2nd DDST). The results were evaluated in three categories as ‘normal,' ‘suspicious,' and ‘abnormal.' RESULTS: The 1st DDSTs were found as normal, suspicious, and abnormal at the rates of 53.6%, 39.3%, and 7.1%, respectively. The 2nd DDSTs were normal, suspicious, and abnormal at the rates of 67.9%, 28.6%, and 3.6%, respectively. Fourteen of the 15 found as normal were normal, but 1 was suspicious. Six of the 11 found as suspicious remained suspicious, 4 were normal, and 1 was abnormal. One of the 2 patients found as abnormal was normal, the other was suspicious. There were no significant differences between the scores of the 1st and 2nd DDSTs (p=0.423). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found that febrile seizures were not associated with neurodevelopmental delay when using the DDST II. According to the results of this study, it may be possible to reassure parents about the normal neurodevelopment expectations for their children despite having febrile seizures.

Keywords

• febrile seizure
• denver developmental screening test
• neuromotor development