Clinical and electroencephalographic characteristics of children with febrile seizures plus

Objectives: Febrile seizures plus (FS +) are attracting attention for their corresponding genetic abnormalities, and are defined as febrile seizures (FS) continuing beyond 6 years of age (late FS) or those associated with afebrile seizures. We tried to elucidate their clinical and EEG characteristics as compared with those of children having only FS. Subjects and methods: We reviewed clinical records in a pediatric neurology clinic to identify 31 patients with FS + (group FS +) and 51 with only FS (group FS). Their family history of seizures, clinical features and EEG findings were compared. Results: A family history of seizures was noted in 14 patients (45.2%) of group FS + and in 24 (47.1%) of group FS. In group FS +, 19 patients had late FS, 11 had afebrile seizures, and the remaining one had both types of seizures. Two patients had seizures induced by TV/video-game as well, and another suffered from absences. Epileptic EEG abnormalities, which included diffuse spike-waves and focal spikes, were noted in 13 patients (41.9%) of group FS + and 12 (23.5%) of group FS. Conclusions: The clinical and EEG characteristics of the children having FS + were diverse, without significant differences from those with FS except for the seizures types. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.