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Effectiveness of Intermittent Diazepam Prophylaxis in Febrile Seizures: Long-Term Prospective Controlled Study

Maria Tzitiridou, MD, PhD

3rd Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

Christos Panteliadis, MD, PhD

3rd Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology, University of Thessaloniki, K. Palama 4, GR 55 133 Thessaloniki, Greece. Tel: 0030 2310/854429; fax: 0030 2310/854429; cpantel{at}hol.gr

The efficacy of intermittent rectal diazepam prophylaxis is assessed in the prevention of febrile seizures. In a prospective randomized cohort trial, 139 children (77 girls, 62 boys) who experienced a first febrile seizure were allocated to two groups: group A, which received intermittent diazepam (n = 68), and group B, which received no prophylaxis (n = 71). All children had a 3-year follow-up. The inclusion criteria were no personal history of afebrile seizures, normal neurodevelopment, no previous anticonvulsant therapy, and age between 6 months and 3 years. Each group was stratified to low, intermediate, and high risk according to the available clinical data. The 36-month recurrence rates in the no-prophylaxis group were 83% in high-risk patients, 55% in intermediate-risk patients, and 46% in low-risk patients. In the prophylaxis group, the recurrence rates were reduced in all risk groups: 38%, 35%, and 33%, respectively. Intermittent diazepam prophylaxis reduces the recurrence rate mainly in high-risk children provided that sufficient doses are given on time and adequately.

Journal of Child Neurology, Vol. 21, No. 12, 1036-1040 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/7010.2006.00221


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