Recurrence Risk of Febrile Seizures in Children

Authors

  • AR Ojha Lecturer, Department of Paediatrics, Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Sinamangal, Kathmandu
  • KN Shakya Department of Paediatrics, Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Sinamangal, Kathmandu
  • UR Aryal Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Sinamangal, Kathmandu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v32i1.5947

Keywords:

Epilepsy, Febrile Seizure, Typical Febrile Seizure, Recurrence

Abstract

Introduction: Febrile seizure is a common paediatric problem. Identifying children with febrile seizure who are at risk for recurrence is important so that special attention can be given to them. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for recurrence of febrile seizures in children.

Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study done at Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. This study is a continuation of a previous study which looked at the leucocytosis in peripheral blood of children with febrile seizure. A detailed history including the risk factors for febrile seizure recurrence was obtained from the caregiver during follow up on subsequent days after discharge of children from the hospital who were previously admitted for febrile seizure. All children with febrile seizure belonging to age group of 6 months to 6 years were included in the study. Those with afebrile seizures or on anticonvulsants and those who refused to give consent were excluded. Each child was also examined and investigated for the cause of fever.

Results: A total of 115 children with febrile seizure admitted for febrile seizure during the study period and all of them were followed up at outpatient department. Males accounted 62% and females 38%. Simple Febrile Seizures were seen in 80% of the cases and complex febrile seizures were seen in 20%. Out of all the cases 68(59%) had symptoms of viral prodrome. 59(51%) had recurrent febrile seizure. Low temperature at onset of Febrile Seizure (p=0.001), short duration of fever before onset of Febrile Seizure (0.026) and atypical Febrile Seizure (p=0.022) were the risk factors for recurrent febrile seizure.

Conclusion: Febrile Seizure is a common paediatric problem commonly seen in males. Almost half of children with Febrile Seizure are at risk for recurrence in later date. The risk factors for these recurrences are modest rise in body temperature at the onset of febrile seizure, onset of seizure within 12 hours of fever and atypical presentation.

Key words: Epilepsy; Febrile Seizure; Typical Febrile Seizure; Recurrence  

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v32i1.5947  

J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. Vol.32(1) 2012 33-36  

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
2235
PDF
1570

Downloads

How to Cite

Ojha, A., Shakya, K., & Aryal, U. (2012). Recurrence Risk of Febrile Seizures in Children. Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society, 32(1), 33–36. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v32i1.5947

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Original Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).