NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES IN CHILDREN WITH FEBRILE SEIZURES: A META-ANALYSIS

Febrile seizures (FS) are common in early childhood and are defined as simple or complex depending upon factors such as duration, recurrence, and focal motor lobe involvement. Although simple forms of FS are not a threat to children's lives, complex FS might pose a particular danger to the baby’s neurodevelopment including effects on cognitive, motor, and behavioral development. The purpose of the current meta-analysis was to determine the relationship that exists between FS and neurodevelopmental profiles by evaluating the cognitive abilities, motor development, and behavior of the children with type, duration, frequency of FS, and family history. A systematic search was done on MD P Quantity: 170, Scopus: 151, and WEB of Science: 130, following the instituted PRISMA guidelines. Literature evaluating neurodevelopmental impairment monthly for children with FS was retrieved concerning IQ, motor development, and behavioral development. The results were applied using a random-effect model to determine the overall estimate of effect size, whereas subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to investigate heterogeneity. To check the publication bias, a funnel plot, and Egger’s test were used. Consequently, the meta-analysis consisted of 80 studies that involved approximately 45,000 children. It was found that children with complex FS had low IQ (- 5.15; 95% CI [ - 7.82, - 2.58]; p < 0.001), mild motor impairment (- 0.35; 95% CI [ - 0.65, - 0.05]; p = 0.015), and had a higher propensity of ADHD, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation (1.45; 95% CI [ 1.1, 1.8]; p < 0.001). Heterogeneity (I² = 68%) suggested variability due to study design and assessment methods. SF with no or only one simple FS has no appreciable long-term consequences. More than that, it may lead to delayed cognitive development, lesser fine motor skills, and raised chances of behavior problems in children experiencing complex FS or repeated seizures. Supervision of neurological development is advised when the child with FS has complicated symptoms, if the seizures have persisted for a long time, or if there is a family history of epilepsy. Subsequent longitudinal research should ensure that neurodevelopmental tests are consistent so that patient’s evaluations and guidelines for treatment can be enhanced.