A Clinical Study of Febrile Convulsion and Factors Related to Recurrence

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the risk factors of recurrence after their first febrile convulsions. And to evaluate effect of anticonvulsant therapy with recurrent febrile convulsion infants and children. METHODS: We have studied the relationship of their clinical pictures and factors related to the risk of recurrence of 178 patients with primary or recurrent febrile convulsion, who were admitted to department of pediatrics, or visited to emergency room, chonju presbyterian medical center from january 1983 to december 1992. The 178 patients were followed up and consisted of the 97 patients with primary febrile convulsion and the others 81 patients with recurrent febrile convulsions. RESULTS: 1) In sex distribution, the boys(59%) outnumbered the girls(41%) and the ratio was 1.41. 2) 95% of overall patients were occurred febrile convulsion under 5 year-old and recurrent rate was 45.5%. In recurrent cases, the first episode under the 12 months was 50.6%(p<0.005). 3) There were family history of febrile convulsion in 28.4% of recurrent cases, compared to 10.9% of primary cases(p<0.001). 4) There was no significant difference with duration and type of convulsion in both groups. 5) Small proportion of 27 children were prescribed anticonvulsants (phenobarbital), but it's not reduced the recurrence and epilepsy significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factor of recurrent febrile convulsion were the first episode under 12 month and familial history of febrile convulsion.