Association between seizure susceptibility with type and optimal dose of antihistamine in patients with a febrile seizure; A retrospective cohort study in Gorgan, Iran

Introduction: Febrile seizures (FSs) are caused by the simultaneous consumption of first- and second-generation antihistamines, which prolong the process in some cases. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between seizure susceptibility and type of antihistamines in patients with FS. Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 364 children with FS admitted to Taleghani Hospital in Gorgan, Iran in 2020. The subjects were selected via convenience sampling and divided into two groups of antihistamine and non-users based on their medical files. Data analysis was performed in SPSS16 using descriptive statistics and chi-square, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and relative risk. Results: The mean age of the patients was 22.77±14.91 months (6-60 months). 56.1% of the patients were male. Antihistamine was prescribed for 15.6% of the subjects, and the mean interval between fever onset and seizure was shorter in the antihistamine group (P=0.37). On the other hand, the mean seizure duration was significantly longer in the antihistamine group (P=0.049). The risk of a seizure lasting more than five minutes was 1.14 times higher in the first-generation antihistamine group compared to the second-generation group (P=0.078). Conclusion: According to the results, the patients with a history of antihistamine use during the febrile period experienced a significantly longer period of seizure, and a significant relationship was observed between the severity of seizures and antihistamine use. In addition, the mean seizure duration was longer in the first-generation antihistamine group. Therefore, the use of this class of drugs in this age range should be limited to the prescription of a specialist.