SynthesisEuropean journal of pediatrics2026
Comparison of febrile seizures associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pre-Omicron and Omicron-predominant periods: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in European journal of pediatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Abstract
Emerging studies suggest increased febrile seizures during the Omicron period of SARS-CoV-2. This study compares the incidence of seizures before and during the Omicron variant period to determine if certain variants increase risk. Using PRISMA-P protocol, four databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched. Cohort studies reporting febrile seizures in children (up to 18 years of age) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. We provide descriptive summaries of the incidence of febrile seizures across hospital, emergency, and community settings, as well as a meta-analysis between Omicron-predominant and pre-Omicron periods. We included 36 studies comprising 82,591 children with SARS-CoV-2 infection, of whom 2051 experienced febrile seizures. In 29 studies of hospitalized children with SARS-CoV-2, the incidence of febrile seizures varied widely, with a median of 7 per 100 (range 1.06-25.54) children. High heterogeneity was observed, and studies from emergency and community settings were underpowered. Seven studies found that unvaccinated children hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 had more febrile seizures during the Omicron-predominant (median 11.8 per 100) than during the pre-Omicron period (median 0.7 per 100). The pooled incidence was 11.27 per 100 cases for the Omicron-predominant and 0.66 per 100 for the pre-Omicron period (p < 0.0001).
conclusionThere was a trend toward more reported febrile seizures among hospitalized children with SARS-CoV-2 during the Omicron-predominant than the pre-Omicron period. However, estimates are limited by small samples and moderate heterogeneity and should not be considered population-based incidences. We hypothesize that SARS-CoV-2 variants may influence febrile seizure risk in children; larger studies are needed to better understand this association. PROSPERO registration: CRD420251054193. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Neurological complications, including febrile seizures, occur in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection. • Prior to the Omicron variant, febrile seizures were relatively uncommon in pediatric COVID-19 cases. WHAT IS NEW: • There was a trend toward more reported febrile seizures among hospitalized children with SARS-CoV-2 during the Omicron-predominant period compared to the pre-Omicron period. • There are potential associations between SARS-CoV-2 variants and febrile seizure risks.
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