The relationship between drug treatment and the clinical characteristics of febrile seizures

Wakako Haruyama, Tatsuo Fuchigami, Yukio Noguchi, Ayumi Endo, Koji Hashimoto, Yasuji Inamo, Yukihiko Fujita, Shigeru Takahashi, Hideo Mugishima

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Drugs such as theophylline, antihistamines, and antiallergics with anti-histaminic actions have been shown to induce febrile seizures. The relationship between febrile seizures and medications has not been actively investigated. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the clinical characteristics of febrile seizures and the use of medications. Methods: Two hundred and sixty-five children treated at our emergency room due to febrile seizures were studied to investigate the relationship between the clinical characteristics of febrile seizures, such as the type and duration of convulsions, and the drug treatment. Results: The duration of convulsions was longer among children who took theophylline and antihistamines than among children who did not take these medications. Of the antihistamines, mequitazine did not prolong the duration of convulsion. Conclusions: Theophylline should not be used in febrile children, particularly infants. Cautions should be taken in using histamine H1 antagonists in young infants because such drugs could potentially disturb the anticonvulsive central histaminergic system. However, mequitazine appears to be a suitable antihistamine for use in children with febrile seizures, since it does not prolong convulsions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)202-205
Number of pages4
JournalWorld Journal of Pediatrics
Volume4
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2008

Keywords

  • Antihistamine
  • Febrile seizures
  • Mequitazine
  • Theophylline

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