Febrile seizures: Clinical features of 96 patients

Abstract

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the clinical findings of the children with febrile seizure (FS). Patients: This study encompasses 96 patients with FS admitted to our Pediatric Neurology Division between January-December 1997. Results: The mean age at the time of the first FS was 16 months (5 months- 4.5 years). The incidence of a history of FS in the first and second degree relatives was 72 %. In 9.7% of the children a history of epilepsy in the family was noted. Generalized tonic (52.5%) and atonic (25.4%) seizures were the most common types of seizures. Seizures were classified as complex in 54.8% and simple in 46.2% of the cases. Status occurred in 16.1% of all cases. The recurrence rate was 83.9% and recurrence occurred in 50% of the cases within the first 6 months, in 84.9% within the first 12 months. Complex FS were determined in 80.5% of the children with recurrence, whereas in 26.7% of the patients without recurrence. Conclusion: FS are a common problem especially in children less than 3 years of age. The recurrence rate is high within the 12 months after the first FS and in patients with complicated FS.