Neurocognitive Functions and Behavior Outcome of Preschool-Age Children with a History of Febrile Convulsions

Objectives: The current case-control study was aimed to ascertain whether febrile convulsion (FC) is associated with neurocognitive deficits in preschool and school age children.

Methods: Demographic, perinatal and febrile convulsion related data of 91 children aged 3-6 years with a history of FC and 74 healthy control children were retrospectively collected. Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) Scale, Conners Parent Rating Scale-Revised Long Form (CPRS-RL), Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) were completed by parents.

Results: There was no significant difference between slow, sleepy and total scores of the SCT scale and defiant, cognitive problems-inattentiveness, hyperactivity, anxiety and perfectionism subscale scores of CPRS-RL between the two groups. SCT daydreamer, CPRS-RL social problem and psychosomatic subscale scores were higher in the control group (p=0.034, p=0.012 and p=0.002, respectively). CHEXI Executive Functioning Total score was higher in the FC group (p=0.005).

Conclusion: This case control study suggested that FC history in early childhood does not have adverse effects on attention and behavior. The findings of this study also emphasized that there may be problems with executive functions in children with a history of febrile convulsions. Therefore, behavioral and cognitive assessment of children with FC is recommended.