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Prognostic factors for epilepsy following first febrile seizure in Saudi children
Abdullah I Almojali1, Anwar E Ahmed, Muhammed Y Bagha
1Dr. Abdullah Ibrahim Almojali, College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences,, PO Box 22490, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia, T: +966-11-4299999, AbdullahAlmojali@gmail.com, http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4208-4196.
Insights
The rate of epilepsy after a first febrile seizure in Saudi children is 5.5%. Certain factors like low-grade fever and delayed vaccinations increase the risk of subsequent epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epileptology
- Childhood Convulsive Events
Background:
- Febrile seizures are common in children and usually benign.
- Understanding long-term outcomes is crucial for pediatric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of epilepsy post-febrile seizure.
- To identify risk factors for developing epilepsy after a first febrile seizure.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 109 children.
- Study conducted at a tertiary care center in Riyadh.
- Data collected for children with first febrile seizures between 2009-2012.
Main Results:
- 5.5% of children developed epilepsy 5-46 months after their first febrile seizure.
- Risk factors included low-grade fever, delayed vaccination, prolonged convulsions, and fever without infection.
- Statistical significance found for several identified risk factors (P=.01 to P=.04).
Conclusions:
- The epilepsy rate in Saudi children aligns with international data.
- While most febrile seizures are benign, vigilant monitoring is advised for at-risk children.
- Further research may be needed due to single-center limitations.
Background:
Febrile seizure is the most common convulsive event during childhood, but it is generally considered benign.
Objectives:
To estimate the rate of epilepsy after first presentation of febrile seizure and to describe factors that can predispose children to have subsequent epilepsy after their first febrile seizure.
Design:
Retrospective chart review.
Setting:
A tertiary care center in Riyadh.
Patients And Methods:
All children whose first febrile seizure developed between 2009-2012, and who were admitted to the pediatric wards.
Main Outcome Measures:
The rate of epilepsy and prognostic factors for epilepsy following first febrile seizure.
Results:
Of 109 febrile seizure patients, 6 (5.5%, 95% CI: 2.1% - 11.6%) were diagnosed with subsequent epilepsy 5 to 46 months after their first febrile seizure. The risk of having subsequent epilepsy was higher in children who were convulsing at a low-grade fever during their first febrile convulsion (P=.02). Moreover, delayed vaccination status (P=.03), prolonged duration of the first convulsion (P=.04), frequent febrile seizures (P=.01), and fever without documented infection (P=.03) during the first febrile convulsion were associated with epilepsy.
Conclusion:
The rate of epilepsy following first febrile seizure in Saudi children is within the range of values reported in different populations. Although most childhood febrile seizures are self-limiting, careful observation is needed, particularly for children who exhibit factors associated with epilepsy.
Limitations:
Conducted at a single center in Saudi Arabia, which may limit generalizability.
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