Predictors of single and mutiple recurrent febrile seizures were identified prospectively in 428 children with first febrile seizures followed for 2 or more years at the Yale-New Haven Hospital, Jacobi Medical Center, North Central Bronx Hospital, and Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY. Of 136 (32%) having recurrent seizures, 17% had one recurrence, 9% had 2 recurrences, and 6% had 3 or more recurrences. Predictors of recurrent febrile seizures were: 1) young age at onset; 2) a family history of febrile seizures; 3) low degree of fever, and 4) brief interval between onset of fever and the first seizure. [1]

COMMENT. This study is one further confirmation of well established risk factors for recurrences of febrile seizures, especially age at onset, family history, and height of fever. (see Progress in Pediatric Neurology II, 1994;pp23-24; and Vol III, 1997;p29). A threshold to febrile seizures based on height of body temperature was established in animal and clinical studies performed 40 years previously at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY. [2]

A clinical study of 5 cases of epilepsy beginning as severe febrile seizures and seizures induced by hot water baths is reported from Ehime University, Japan [3]. Febrile seizures were controlled by clonazepam and diazepam but not by phenobarbital or valproate.