[Longitudinal study of patients with febrile convulsive crises]

This longitudinal study included 113 patients seen through a period of 8 years with febrile convulsive crises, especially of the tonoclonic type, with predominance in males and with average age at the onset of the disease of 6 months. Infectious respiratory processes were considered as the main cause of fever and the drug given most often was sodium diphenylhydantoin. The value of EEG in febrile convulsive crises was confirmed since the first graphic traces were abnormal in 95% of cases and that generalized paroxysmal or focal alterations were considered suggestive of epilepsy and or organic damage. The most common grapho-element was of slow wave of high voltage. Alterations in the E.E.G. persisted and was more abnormal in 23% of the cases including specific tracings in 37%. These findings are similar to those reported in other studies carried out in children with febrile convulsions.