A pattern of convulsions in childhood

ABSTRACT

Convulsions were a common cause of admission to hospital in patients under 16 years of age. During the period 1958-1961 there was a total of 447 such patients admitted to Kingston Public Hospital, the peak age was 1 to 5 years and there was a male dominance. Febrile respiratory infections were a major factor indicating the need for early, effective, treatment. Fever of undetermined origin affected about 18 per cent of the cases. Non-respiratory infections, cerebral damage and helminthiasis were infrequent causes of convulsions. Noteworthy was the absence of tumours, syphilis, hypertensive encephalopathy and heredity as aetiological factors. Reasons are also adduced for the probable mis-diagnosis of petit mal and psycho-motor epilepsy (AU)