Comparison of Effectiveness of Topiramate and Diazepam in Preventing Risk of Recurrent Febrile Seizure in Children under Age of 2 Years

OBJECTIVE: Febrile seizures are the most common type of convulsions. Medicinal prophylaxis is sometimes used for children at high risk of recurrent febrile seizure. In certain circumstances, conventional drugs such as diazepam and phenobarbital cannot be used and the need for alternative medicines is felt. This study compared the effectiveness of topiramate and diazepam in preventing the risk of recurrent febrile seizure in children under 2 yr old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled trial, in Besat Hospital in Hamedan, Iran from 22 Nov 2013 to 22 Nov 2015 (Registered code: IRCT Number: IRCT2015010120527N1), included 54 patients, at risk of recurrent febrile seizure, inhibited from taking phenobarbital. Samples were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received diazepam treatment during fever episodes and the second group received daily dose of topiramate. A one-year follow-up of recurrent febrile seizure and its complications was also conducted. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (17 patients in each group) completed the one-year course of the trial. Recurrent febrile seizure was not observed in the course of preventive treatment. The prevalence of minor complications was 29.4% in the diazepam group and 48.5% in the topiramate group. No major complication was observed in among the subjects CONCLUSION: Topiramate can be recommended for preventing recurrent febrile seizure when the use of frontline medicines is not possible.