Efficacy of a diazepam suppository at preventing febrile seizure recurrence during a single febrile illness

Brain Dev. 2009 Jun;31(6):414-8. doi: 10.1016/j.braindev.2008.07.010. Epub 2008 Sep 5.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of diazepam suppositories at preventing febrile seizure recurrence during a single febrile illness to determine how to treat children with a febrile seizure on presentation at the hospital.

Methods: We studied 203 children with febrile seizures from December 2004 through March 2006. On admission between December 2004 and May 2005, a diazepam suppository was administered to the patients. Patients seen between June 2005 and March 2006 were not treated with antiepileptic drugs on admission.

Results: We saw a significant difference in the rate of recurrence of febrile seizures between children treated with diazepam and those who were not. Recurrences were observed in 2 (2.1%) of 95 children treated with diazepam and in 16 (14.8%) of 108 untreated children. For the 108 untreated patients, the median age was 22.8 months in those with recurrences and 30.6 months in those without, confirming that a younger age was related to a recurrence.

Conclusions: A diazepam suppository after a febrile seizure will reduce the incidence of recurrent febrile seizures during the same febrile illness. However, a diazepam suppository after a febrile seizure should be used after carefully considering the benefits and potential adverse effects.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage*
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Errors / prevention & control
  • Diazepam / administration & dosage*
  • Diazepam / adverse effects
  • Encephalitis / diagnosis
  • Encephalitis / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Fever / complications*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lethargy / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Meningitis / diagnosis
  • Meningitis / physiopathology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Seizures, Febrile / drug therapy*
  • Seizures, Febrile / physiopathology
  • Seizures, Febrile / prevention & control*
  • Suppositories / administration & dosage
  • Suppositories / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Suppositories
  • Diazepam