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Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effects of maternal flu or fever, and medications (antibiotics and antipyretics) use in the first trimester on neural tube defects (NTDs) risk in offspring. Methods: Data came from a hospital-based case-control study conducted between 2006 and 2008 in Shandong/Shanxi provinces including 459 mothers with NTD-affected births and 459 mothers without NTD-affected births. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the effects of maternal flu, fever, and medications use on NTD risk. The effects were evaluated by adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) with SAS9.1.3.software. Results: NTDs risks were significantly associated with maternal flu or fever (OR = 2.63, 95 % CI = 1.64-4.23) and antipyretics use (OR = 3.38, 95 % CI = 1.68-6.79), but not with antibiotics use (OR = 1.82, 95 % CI = 0.85-3.93). The risk effect of antipyretics use on anencephaly (OR = 7.81, 95 % CI = 1.96-31.13) was markedly higher than on spina bifida (OR = 3.02, 95 % CI = 1.08-8.42). Maternal flu or fever together with antipyretics use showed a higher OR for total NTDs (3.27 vs.1.87), anencephaly (7.38 vs.2.08), and spina bifida (2.97 vs.2.07) than maternal flu or fever with no antipyretics use. Conclusions: Maternal flu or fever and antipyretics use in the first trimester were risk for NTDs. Maternal flu or fever together with antipyretics use increased NTD risk than only maternal flu or fever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Febrile seizures (FS) are typically observed in infants and children affecting 2-5 % of the pediatric population and are the commonest seizures in childhood. Objectives: The present review summarizes epidemiology, etiology, clinical picture, and diagnostic procedures as well as the therapeutic options and the different courses this disorder may take. Method: An extensive review of literature is performed, while views and aspects towards the pathogenesis of FS are stated. Risk factors for multiple recurrences of FS and for subsequent epilepsy are analyzed. Questions regarding the treatment and follow-up of children with FS are answered. Results: Whereas the frequency of epilepsy following simple FS is estimated to be 1.0-2.2 % of patients, and thus does not differ from the risk of normal population, complicated FS are associated with an increased risk of subsequent epilepsy in 4.1-6.0 %. Febrile status epilepticus with focal symptoms may result in approximately 5 % of cases in complex partial epilepsy. Furthermore, multiple recurrences increase the risk for generalized epilepsy (>4 %). The immediate management of FS, intermittent prophylaxis, and the effectiveness of the treatment in combination with antipyretics are presented in detail. Conclusion: FS can cause a great anxiety and even panic to parents and to the whole family. Parents should be educated about the benign condition and the good prognosis. Although much information has been gained, much remains to be learned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective  The purpose of this study was to describe the treatment of noninfectious fever in children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Materials and methods  We conducted a retrospective study to compare type of and response to antipyretic treatment strategies in children less than or equal to 17 years and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score less than 9. Results  The average admission GCS score was 4. Forty children (35 boys, 5 girls), age 7.8 ± 5.2 years, had noninfectious fever. Seventy percent (28 of 40) received acetaminophen only, and 30% (12 of 40) received acetaminophen plus either ibuprofen or physical cooling. Time to next febrile episode was longer in patients receiving combination therapy than those receiving monotherapy (p = 0.03). Fever refractory to treatment dose or strategy occurred in more than 40% of the patients. Conclusions  Early combination antipyretic therapy may be needed to effectively maintain normothermia in children with severe TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]