An epidemiological survey of febrile convulsions among pupils in the Wenzhou region / 中国当代儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the prevalence and clinical features of febrile convulsion (FC) among pupils in the Wenzhou region, Zhejiang Province, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using a random stratified cluster sampling method, 6406 children under 12 years from two primary schools of urban areas and two primary schools of rural areas were surveyed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of FC was 3.67% (235/6406). Most children (75.7%) experienced their first onset of FC at 6 months to 3 years of age (median 16 months). The seizures were generalized (95.3%, 224/235), with a duration of less than 10 minutes (86.4%, 203/235). FC was developed into epilepsy in 13 children (5.5%) who all suffered from complex FC. Relapses were noted in 88 cases (37.4%), among whom 38 patients had only 1 recurrence and 50 patients had 2 or more relapses. EEG was performed in 200 cases, among whom 12(6.0%) showed abnormalities.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of FC is 3.67% among pupils in the Wenzhou region. The seizures are generalized, with a short duration. A part of complex FC can be developed into subsequent epilepsy.</p>