Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
09:57

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization

Published on: September 20, 2024

4.0K

Clinical characteristics of seizures associated with viral gastroenteritis in children

Hitoshi Ueda1, Hitoshi Tajiri2, Sadami Kimura3

  • 1Ueda Heart Clinic, 5-303 1-3 Wakihamacho Chuo-ku Kobe city, Hyogo Prefecture 651-0072, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Osaka General Medical Center, Japan.

Epilepsy Research
|December 20, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric seizures during viral gastroenteritis, caused by norovirus or rotavirus, showed distinct fever patterns but similar seizure types. Febrile seizures occurred earlier and responded differently to medications compared to general febrile seizures.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Viral gastroenteritis is a common cause of pediatric hospital admissions.
  • Seizures can occur during acute gastroenteritis, particularly in children.
  • Distinguishing seizure types and their associations with specific viral pathogens is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze clinical seizure features in children with viral gastroenteritis.
  • To compare seizures associated with norovirus versus rotavirus infections.
  • To evaluate the impact of fever on seizure characteristics during gastroenteritis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 293 pediatric patients with viral gastroenteritis.
  • Identified 18 patients with seizures, categorized by viral pathogen (norovirus/rotavirus) and fever presence.
  • Compared seizure characteristics, timing, and antiepileptic drug response between groups.

Main Results:

  • Rotavirus-associated seizures were more frequently febrile (83%) than norovirus (58%).
  • Febrile seizures (FS group) occurred earlier in gastroenteritis compared to afebrile seizures (aFS group).
  • FS group showed higher clustered seizure frequency and similar drug responses to 'convulsions with mild gastroenteritis' (CwG).

Conclusions:

  • Pathogen type influences fever frequency during gastroenteritis-related seizures, but fever has minimal impact on seizure features.
  • Seizures in the FS group occurred earlier and shared characteristics with CwG, suggesting a distinct pathogenic mechanism.
  • Clinical features and drug responses of febrile seizures during viral gastroenteritis may differ from general febrile seizures.
Abstract

Keywords:
NorovirusRotavirusconvulsions with mild gastroenteritisfebrile seizures

More Related Videos

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

20.7K
A Model for Epilepsy of Infectious Etiology using Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus05:33

A Model for Epilepsy of Infectious Etiology using Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus

Published on: June 23, 2022

3.6K

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
165
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
2.5K
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid...
70
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
4
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
8
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
4