Comparing the intermittent administration of Diazepam with continuous usage of Phenobarbital in preventing recurrence of febrile convulsion

Due to the relatively high prevalence of febrile convulsion and considering the possibility or recurrence in case of not preventing and also with respect to the problems occurred during the treatment with Phenobarbital, the present study was conducted on children referring to Shaheed Beheshti hospital in Kashan to draw a more appropriate approach to the treatment of febrile convulsion with better outcomes and less side effects. 100 children with febrile convulsion were enrolled for this clinical trial. Children were assigned in two groups. In the case group diazepam was administered at a dosage of 0.8 mg/kg/d in three divided doses at the time of fever. The control group was received oral Phenobarbital at the dosage of 5 mg/kg/d. children were followed for recurrence of febrile convulsion at two months interval for 6 months. The study population included 61 boys and 31 girls. The recurrence rate was 6% and 14% in the case and control group, respectively (NS). Since diazepam offers a more effective prevention of recurrence of febrile convulsion while posing less side effects, it seems to be more appropriate for prevention of febrile convulsion.