Prophylaxis and febrile convulsions.

Any decision about treatment should be made after an assessment of the potential advantages and dis- advantages of such treatment. There are two possible advantages of giving prophylactic drugs after febrile convulsions: to prevent further febrile convulsions, and to prevent neurological damage resulting from such further convulsions and manifesting as later epilepsy, mental retardation, or other neurological abnormality. The possible disadvantages result from drug toxicity, the risk of overdose, and the cost, financially and in terms of NHS resources, of treating large numbers of children.