Prognosis
Prognosis for normal neurologic function is excellent.
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About one third of children who experience a single simple febrile seizure will have another.
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The lifetime rate of epilepsy in these children is slightly above that of the general population. [1]
A Danish population-based study by Norgaard et al found little association between febrile seizures and cognitive function. Data linked from health-care databases and conscript records of Danish men born from 1977-1983 showed that, of the 18,276 eligible conscripts, 507 (2.8%) had a record of hospitalization with febrile seizures and no known history of epilepsy. Compared with conscripts with no record of febrile seizures, the adjusted prevalence ratio for having a Boerge Prien intelligence test score in the bottom quartile was 1.08 (95% confidence index [CI], 0.94-1.25). The adjusted prevalence ratios were 1.38 (95% CI, 1.07-1.79) for febrile seizures with an onset age of 3 months to < 1 year, 0.98 (95% CI, 0.80-1.18) for febrile seizures with an onset age of 1-2 years, and 1.14 (95% CI, 0.79-1.66) for an onset age of 3-5 years. [16]
Patient Education
See the list below:
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Inform parents that these dramatic events do not indicate future neurologic dysfunction or disease.
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For patient education resources, see the Brain and Nervous System Center, as well as Seizures and Fever and Seizures in Children.
