Infectious causes associated with febrile seizure in children

To establish the infectious cause associated with the increase in temperature in patient with febrile convulsion admitted to the Prince Hashim Hospital and its association with the season, Retrospective study, including all children hospitalized with the diagnosis of febrile convulsion during period of two years from February 2007 to February 2009. We included 88 patients. Infectious diarrhea was the most important cause of fever [43%] followed by acute pharyngitis [36%] and bronchopneumonia [5%]. Less common causes such as cellulitis, urinary tract infection and post-vaccination reactions were associated in a small number of cases. In our study, winter time is more commonly associated with infectious disease outbreaks of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections [42%], followed by summer season [24%]. Gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tract infections were the most common causes of elevated temperature and subsequent febrile seizure. The epidemics of respiratory and diarrheal infections in winter season result in increasing the incidence of this disease

emergency department or a convenient pediatric walk in clinic

To describe the rate and pattern of the Emergency Department use by non-urgent pediatric cases and to find out the main determinant factors of these visits. This study conducted at Princess Haya Military Hospital in Aqaba city during the period between December 2006 and May 2007. Data was collected from all pediatric cases that attended the Emergency Department and was evaluated by pediatricians. Results were analyzed descriptively. A total number of 8,100 children aged 14 years and below attended the Emergency Department during the study period for different complaints. Around 71% of the total cases were considered to be non-urgent as assessed by the attending pediatrician. About 77% of cases were medically insured by public health insurance. Being less than six years old and living inside the city was associated with more non-urgent visits. Generally unemployed and educated caregivers were more likely to make non-urgent visits. Most common presenting complaints were respiratory problems followed by gastrointestinal problems. Findings showed that a significant proportion of pediatric visits to the Emergency Department were non-urgent and could be handled in primary health care settings. Efforts and measures should be attempted to decrease emergency department use by non-urgent pediatric cases, both for financial reasons, as well as time and effort saving