Afebrile Convulsion Associated with Rotaviral Gastroenteritis in Childhood

ABSTRACT

Rotavirus is an important pathogen of acute infantile gastroenteritis as well as is suspected of being one of the causative agents of benign convulsion. We evaluated the clinical and laboratory features noted in 9 young children with Rotazyme positive gastroenteritis and afebrile seizure retrospectly. Seventy-seven patients were admitted to the department of pediatrics in Yeungnam University Hospital with a history of Rotazyme positive gastroenteritis between January 1, 1991 and June 30, 1993. Afebrile convulsions have been noted in 9(11.6%) of them (7 boys and 2 girls). Their age ranged from 13 to 36 months. The seizure episodes ranged from 1 to 6 time in cluster within 2 hours. The seizure were all generalized tonic-clonic seizures lasting 1-5minutes. Serum electrolyte, EEG, brain CT and CSF findings were normal except a mild pleocytosis in one patient. Any type of epilepsy was not occurred and psychomotor development was normal in 7 patients who were followed up for 6-44 months Afebrile convulsions are sometimes found in patients with rotavirus gastroenteritis. They are characterized by brief generalized seizure or seizures in cluster, normal laboratory findings and good prognosis. We believe that individualized approach is needed in the management of rotavirus gastroenteritis with afebrile convulsion.