To Study The Risk Factors For Recurrence of Febrile Seizures in Children in Southern India.

Abstract

Background: Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common neurological emergency which usually present in casualty and is of parental concern.

Objectives: To estimate the various risk factors associated with recurrence of febrile seizures in children between 6monthsto 5 years.

Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital setting on children with aged6monthsto5 years presenting with recurrence of both simple and complex febrile seizures admitted in Paediatric department done over a period from April-September 2022.

Result: Recurrence was more common in children <12 months (66%) as compared to children ≥12 months (34%).Out of 50 children ,64% were male with recurrent febrile seizure. About 35 patients (70%) developed seizures within 24 hours of onset of fever.  Among children with recurrent FS (50), 39(78%) children did not have family history of febrile seizure either in 1° or 2° relatives. Recurrence of febrile seizure was significantly more common in children with a family history of epilepsy (68%) as compared to those without a family history of epilepsy (32%). Out of 50 children with FS, 30 children (60%) had Hb < 11g/dl.

Conclusion: Onset of first febrile seizure less than 1 year, male gender, recurrence of seizures within 24 hours of onset of fever, family history of epilepsy and presence of anemia are the important risk factors for recurrence of febrile seizures. Our study emphasizes the importance of counseling the parents about the possibility of recurrence of febrile seizure with the presence of these factors.