La gestione delle convulsioni febbrili: Le conoscenze degli operatori sanitari

Objectives To study health professionals' knowledge of febrile seizures' management regarding in particular the quality of the information parents receive. Material and methods A survey has been sent to primary care paediatricians, hospital paediatricians, in training paediatricians and paediatric nurses. The survey started from a clinical scenario (a 18 months old girl at her first febrile seizure). Information regarded: a) the incidence of febrile seizures between 6 months and 5 years of age; b) the probability of a second seizure; c) the efficacy of antipiretycs in the prevention of febrile seizures; d) the use of rectal diazepam in recurrent febrile seizures; e) electroencephalography indications. Results Data has been collected by 1025 health professionals: 162 hospital paediatricians, 604 primary care paediatricians, 92 paediatricians in training, 167 paediatric nurses. Only 45% answered correctly all the questions; 64% answered correctly the question regarding the incidence of febrile seizures (3-5%); 58% gave a correct answer to the question regarding the recurrence (20-30%); 75% answered correctly the question on the efficacy of antipyretics in the prevention; 75% think that diazepam by rectal administration should be used if the seizures lasts more than 1-2 minutes; 81% think that there are no indications for electroencephalography. Conclusions The research has strong limits due to the sample selection. The results, considering their limits, show a discreet knowledge of health professionals. Guidelines should be shared by all health professionals considering that less than 50% answered correctly all questions. Parents should receive correct information based on guidelines.