Attitudes of parents and physicians toward febrile seizures.

OBJECTIVES

Although febrile seizures are common in children, attitudes may change among parents. The management of a child may differ depending on the specialty of the attending physician. This study was carried out to analyze attitudes of Turkish parents and physicians toward febrile seizures.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

308 children with febrile seizure who were admitted to the Department of Pediatric Neurology at Dr Sami Ulus Children's Hospital and Gazi University in Turkey between January 2006 and March 2007 were enrolled.

RESULTS

Prior to seizure, approximately half of the parents took appropriate steps in reducing fever. The data also showed that there was a wide variation of treatment practice depending on the specialty of the attending physician.

DISCUSSION

Educational level and economic status are important variables affecting attitudes of parents toward fever and febrile seizure. The management of the child with a febrile seizure differs even within the same specialty in Turkish physicians.