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Febrile convulsions in a Serbian region: a 10-year epidemiological study
M V Pavlovic1, M S Jarebinski, T D Pekmezovic
1Department of Paediatrics, Medical Centre of Krusevac, Serbia, Yugoslavia.
Insights
Febrile convulsions in Serbian children aged 6 months to 5 years show an increasing incidence trend. Recurrence occurred in 17.5% of cases, with 4.5% developing epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Febrile convulsions are common in childhood.
- Limited population-based data exists for Serbia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and epidemiological features of febrile convulsions in central Serbia.
- To assess the recurrence rate and risk of epilepsy following febrile convulsions.
Main Methods:
- Population-based study conducted from 1986-1995 in central Serbia.
- Inclusion criteria: children aged 6 months to 5 years with first febrile convulsions.
- Follow-up of 154 children for 5 years to assess recurrence and epilepsy development.
Main Results:
- 570 cases of first febrile convulsions recorded over 10 years.
- Average annual incidence rate of 3/1000 children.
- A significant increasing linear trend in incidence was observed.
- Recurrence rate was 17.5%; 6.5% experienced afebrile seizures, and 4.5% developed epilepsy.
Conclusions:
- Febrile convulsions incidence is increasing in the studied Serbian population.
- A notable percentage of children experience recurrence, with a significant risk of developing epilepsy.
Abstract:
The first population-based study in the central region of the Republic of Serbia (total population 283,103) was carried out to assess some epidemiological features of febrile convulsions among children of between 6 months and 5 years of age. During the 10-year period, 1986 to 1995, there were 570 cases of the first febrile convulsions (287 males and 283 females). The average annual incidence rate was 3/1000 (2.9/1000 in males and 3.0/1000 in females), with the highest in 1995. During the study period, a significantly increased linear regression trend was observed. During the follow-up period of 5 years for children who had their first febrile convulsions in 1989 and 1990 (total 154 cases), 27 (17.5%) had a recurrence of the disorder, and ten (6.5%) had one or more afebrile seizures, of whom seven children (4.5% of total sample) developed epilepsy (recurrent afebrile seizures).