Abstract

THE ROLE OF ANTIPYRETICS IN PREVENTION OF THE RECURRENCE OF FEBRILE SEIZURES IN CHILDREN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Wafa Mohsen Ahmed Badauod*, Israa Musaddif Salman, Rahaf Abdullah Almoallem, Daniyah Abdulqader Fatani, Emtnan Mohammed Al-Mdabgy, Fahad Abdullah Alanzi, Yasmeen M. Alltalib, Nourah Saud A. Alsubaie and Hussain Abdrabalrasool Hussain Alturaifi, Asya Ruzayq Alsulami

Abstract

Background & Purpose: Antipyretic agents are routinely given to ill children who have a history of febrile seizures to reduce the fever and hence (theoretically) reduce the recurrence. The Aim of this work is to provide cumulative data about the efficacy and safety of antipyretics in prevention of the recurrence of febrile seizures in children. Methods: A systematic search was performed of PubMed, Cochrane library Ovid, Scopus & Google scholar to identify pediatrics RCTs, clinical trials, and comparative studies, which studied the outcome of Antipyretic group versus Placebo group of children with febrile seizures. A meta- analysis was done using fixed and random-effect methods. The primary outcome of interest was recurrence of febrile seizures. Results: A total of 5 studies were identified involving 1071 patients, with 633 patients in Antipyretic group, and 438 patients in Placebo group. Regarding safety outcome measure, meta- analysis study showed that, highly significant decrease in recurrence rate of febrile seizures, with a combined odds ratio (OR) of 0.53; P < 0.01). Conclusion: To conclude, antipyretic drugs are useful for the prevention of recurrences of febrile seizures and for the reducing of fever in patients with a febrile episode, that results in a recurrent febrile seizure.

Keywords: Antipyretics, Recurrence, Febrile Seizures, Children.