The study examined the effect of propofol on the cognitive development of 74 children who survived febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) and were treated from 2014 to 2022. The researchers found that each 100 mg/kg increase in propofol dose was independently associated with a 0.41 point decrease in IQ. Children who received the highest doses of propofol had an average IQ of 63.7 points, which is below the threshold for intellectual disability (less than 70 points). A critical point was identified at a dose of 2,000 mg/kg, above which IQ decreased by 0.55 points for every 100 mg/kg. Children on high doses of propofol had a 79 percent rate of intellectual disability compared to 44 percent in the lower dose group. In addition, the rate of children returning to school has dropped to 21 percent. The study authors recommend that doses of propofol above 2,000 mg/kg should be subject to mandatory review and consideration of alternative treatment options.