Children with a history of atypical febrile seizures show abnormal steady state visual evoked potential brain responses

Atypical febrile seizures (FSs) are considered a risk factor for the onset of epilepsy in later life as well as for potential cognitive impairment. However, distinctive characteristics defining the group of children at risk for negative outcomes are not well established. In the following study, children from 6 to 59 months with a history of atypical FSs were investigated using steady state visual evoked potentials (ssVEP), a brain response known to increase with age. Abnormally, low theta and alpha ssVEP brain responses were found in children with a history of atypical FSs.

► Steady-state visual evoked potentials have been found to be abnormal in several neurological diseases but not in febrile seizures. ► We have studied steady-state visual evoked potentials after atypical febrile seizures. ► We found that steady-state visual evoked potentials were abnormal in patients with atypical febrile seizures.