study of convulsions in childhood

ABSTRACT

This prospective study was performed on 400 children, between the ages of 1 month and 13 years with a history of convulsions, admitted during a 2-year period. There were more males than females, with more children admitted in the winter season than in the summer. The largest group suffered febrile convulsions [77%], followed by afebrile convulsions and epilepsy [11.2%], hypocalcaemia with or without rickets [5.7%], central nervous system infections [4.4%] and lead intoxication [0.8%]. In nearly 40% of the children, the laboratory investigations were normal, while polymorphonuclear leucocytosis [37.5%] was the most common laboratory finding. Central nervous system infections were found in all age groups, and hypocalcaemia and lead intoxication were found to be significant causative factors for convulsions in children under 2 years of age