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van Baalen A. Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome in childhood: A clinical review and practical approach. Seizure 2023; 111:215-222. [PMID: 37703593 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) of unknown aetiology is an extremely rare but severe epilepsy syndrome. It is characterized by a nonspecific febrile infection a few days before the onset of super-refractory status epilepticus, followed by refractory epilepsy and high morbidity in previously healthy children and young adults. To date, FIRES is incurable and irreversible. The clinical course may depend more on time than on therapy, while the outcome may depend more on the clinical spectrum than on therapy. Based on a literature search, retrospective data analysis, and personal observations, this review aimed to explore the clinical spectrum and therapeutic options for FIRES to improve outcomes by optimized and more standardized diagnosis and therapy, including adapted immunotherapy and a less aggressive approach to manage seizures, as seizure-freeness is difficult to achieve and, therefore, not the primary goal for cryptogenic FIRES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas van Baalen
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University (CAU), Arnold-Heller-Street 3, House C, Kiel 24105, Germany.
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Pavone P, Pappalardo XG, Parano E, Falsaperla R, Marino SD, Fink JK, Ruggieri M. Fever-Associated Seizures or Epilepsy: An Overview of Old and Recent Literature Acquisitions. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:858945. [PMID: 35529330 PMCID: PMC9070101 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.858945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to central nervous system infections, seizures and fever may occur together in several neurological disorders. Formerly, based on the clinical features and prognostic evolution, the co-association of seizure and fever included classical febrile seizures (FS) divided into simple, complex, and prolonged FS (also called febrile status epilepticus). Later, this group of disorders has been progressively indicated, with a more inclusive term, as "fever-associated seizures or epilepsy" (FASE) that encompasses: (a) FS divided into simple, complex, and prolonged FS; (b) FS plus; (c) severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (Dravet syndrome); (d) genetic epilepsy with FS plus; and (e) febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES). Among the FASE disorders, simple FS, the most common and benign condition, is rarely associated with subsequent epileptic seizures. The correlation of FS with epilepsy and other neurological disorders is highly variable. The pathogenesis of FASE is unclear but immunological and genetic factors play a relevant role and the disorders belonging to the FASE group show to have an underlying common clinical, immunological, and genetic pathway. In this study, we have reviewed and analyzed the clinical data of each of the heterogeneous group of disorders belonging to FASE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piero Pavone
- Unit of Clinical Pediatrics, AOU "Policlinico", PO "G. Rodolico", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Xena Giada Pappalardo
- Unit of Catania, National Council of Research, Institute for Research and Biomedical Innovation (IRIB), Catania, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Enrico Parano
- Unit of Catania, National Council of Research, Institute for Research and Biomedical Innovation (IRIB), Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Falsaperla
- Unit of Pediatrics, Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, and Pediatric Emergency, AOU "Policlinico", PO "San Marco", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Simona Domenica Marino
- Unit of Pediatrics, Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, and Pediatric Emergency, AOU "Policlinico", PO "San Marco", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - John Kane Fink
- Department of Neurology and Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Martino Ruggieri
- Unit of Rare Diseases of the Nervous System in Childhood, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Catania, AOU "Policlinico", PO "G. Rodolico", Catania, Italy
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