FEBRILE SEIZURES: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This narrative literature review gathered articles from the main databases aiming to describe the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis for children with febrile seizures. Febrile seizures occur in children aged 6 months to 5 years, associated with fever, affecting 2-5% of children, mainly between 12 and 18 months. The pathophysiology involves genetic and environmental factors, with fever acting as a trigger. Febrile seizures are classified as simple (less than 15 minutes, no repetition in 24 hours, without focal features) and complex (more than 15 minutes, multiple in 24 hours, with focal features). The diagnosis is clinical, based on the observation of a seizure in a febrile child, without underlying causes. It includes neurological evaluation and complementary exams to exclude other causes. Treatment is supportive, with immediate measures to ensure the safety of the child and antipyretics to reduce fever. Benzodiazepines can be used in prolonged seizures. The prognosis is generally excellent, with a low risk of epilepsy. Parental education is crucial to reducing anxiety, including information about appropriate seizure response and warning signs. Emotional and psychosocial support is also important to help parents cope with stress.