In Reply.—We thank Dr Haddock for his interest in our article1 on the use of phenobarbital sodium and carbamazepine in preventing febrile convulsions. With regard to his question about our reassuring parents, it was a double-blind trial, and, therefore, we did not know which of the two medications the children were receiving. All of the patients in the trial received considerable reassurance and medical attention, but both groups equally so.
It is impossible for us to comment on the use of an antacid (Maalox Plus) in Dr Haddock's trial, since no details, such as numbers of patients, ages, and statistical analysis of data, are given. As of now, there is good evidence that valproate sodium and phenobarbital can prevent recurrent febrile seizures. If Dr Haddock has convincing proof that other measures are effective, then perhaps it would be helpful for him to report his findings in the literature for all