Simple Febrile Seizures-Reply

In Reply .—I have no overwhelming arguments against Dr Pascoe's recommendation that parents of an infant with a first febrile seizure be drawn into the decision-making process about future management. I quite agree that too often we overlook the process and tell parents what must be done without troubling to offer them a full understanding of a given problem and to invite their participation. However, in this instance, namely the decision to withhold phenobarbital until a second febrile seizure occurs or to start the lengthy program of prophylaxis with phenobarbital, it is difficult for me to see how the parents can help reach a decision, especially when you stop to consider that many physicians themselves are uncertain about management and are asking for guidance. In the final analysis, the parents must place their confidence in the physician whom they have selected to care for their child and accept his recommendations.