Aim of the study: To investigate the effect of febrile seizures on the beha
viour and emotional situation of parents in order to improve our attitude t
owards these children and parents in future.
Methods: We analysed 135 questionnaires oil parents' behaviour and emotiona
l situation during and after a febrile seizure in their children.
Results: Febrile seizures were unknown to 44% of the parents. 121 parents (
91%) reported severe anxiety on witnessing the first febrile seizure. In 69
% the anxiety was so strong, that the parents believed their child would di
e. Severe anxiety was significantly associated with lack of knowledge about
febrile seizures: 79% (no knowledge of febrile seizures) versus 59% (with
knowledge). The level of anxiety appeared to be associated with low educati
onal level, but not with ethnic background or income.
Conclusions: Our study shows that knowledge of febrile seizures among conce
rned parents in our region remains insufficient. The results are ambigious.
On the one hand we found an association between severe anxiety and lack of
knowledge on febrile seizures, Suggesting that information prior to the fi
rst febrille seizure might reduce the anxiety level and thus lead to approp
riate reactions in case of recurrence. Oil the other hand although parents
knew about febrille seizures, they still had very high anxiety levels and w
ould react inappropriately in case of recurrence. Therefore if information
is provided to parents, it must be specific, especially about which measure
s are to be taken or avoided respectively. A prospective study to observe p
ositive and negative effects of preventive information is needed.