Survey on the management of febrile seizures
D. G. Hirtz, Y. J. Lee, J. H. Ellenberg and K. B. Nelson
A survey regarding the management of the child with febrile seizures was
mailed to 10 000 child neurologists, neurologists, pediatricians, and
family and general practitioners. The response rate varied by specialty;
overall, slightly more than half the physicians responded. One third or
less of physicians prescribed anticonvulsive therapy only at the time of
febrile illness, although this practice was much less common among recent
graduates. If children had lengthy or focal seizures, the majority of
physicians in all specialties either prescribed long-term treatment or
referred for consultation. Long-term daily anticonvulsant therapy was
prescribed most frequently by child neurologists and least often by general
practitioners, who most often referred for consultation. Rate of
hospitalization also differed according to specialty. The results of the
survey indicate that the management of a child with febrile seizures may
differ depending on the specialty of the attending physician.
