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A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy
06:58

A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Published on: July 12, 2021

A comparative study of febrile and afebrile seizures associated with mild gastroenteritis

Eun Hye Lee1, Sajun Chung

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Brain & Development
|November 1, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Fever may alter seizure characteristics in children with mild gastroenteritis. Afebrile seizures linked to gastroenteritis might be a distinct condition needing further study.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Seizures during mild gastroenteritis are increasingly reported in children.
  • Understanding the clinical differences between febrile and afebrile seizures in this context is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze clinical characteristics of febrile and afebrile seizures associated with mild gastroenteritis.
  • To determine the influence of fever on seizure presentation in children with gastroenteritis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records for 59 children with seizures during mild gastroenteritis.
  • Classification into afebrile (n=27) and febrile (n=32) groups for comparison.
  • Comparison of age, sex, seizure semiology, frequency, duration, family history, and prior seizure history.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in mean age, family history, seizure semiology, or frequency.
  • Afebrile group showed a trend towards more frequent seizures (≥ 2/day).
  • Febrile group showed a tendency for prolonged seizures (≥ 5 min) and a history of prior febrile seizures.

Conclusions:

  • Fever appears to influence the clinical characteristics of seizures in children with gastroenteritis.
  • Afebrile seizures associated with gastroenteritis may represent a distinct entity.
  • Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Abstract

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