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Convulsions in children hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis

Moti Iflah1, Eias Kassem2, Uri Rubinstein3

  • 1School of Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Scientific Reports
|August 6, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Elevated body temperature and high blood glucose levels are linked to convulsions in children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE). However, the severity of AGE was not associated with convulsions in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a common cause of hospitalization in children.
  • Convulsions can occur in children with AGE, but the associated factors require further investigation.
  • Understanding these factors is crucial for effective management and prevention of complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify clinical and demographic correlates of convulsions in children hospitalized for AGE.
  • To investigate the relationship between specific pathogens (Rotavirus, Shigella, Campylobacter) and convulsions.
  • To determine the association of fever and hyperglycemia with convulsions in pediatric AGE.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study analyzing data from 3,873 children (0-59 months) hospitalized for AGE between 2008-2015.
  • Stool samples analyzed for Rotavirus, Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter.
  • Comparison of clinical and demographic characteristics between children with (n=68) and without (n=3505) convulsions.

Main Results:

  • Children with convulsions were more likely to be toddlers (12-23 months) and test positive for Shigella.
  • Rotavirus infection was less common in children with convulsions compared to controls.
  • Elevated body temperature (OR 2.91) and high blood glucose levels (OR 5.71) were significantly associated with convulsions.
  • Severe AGE (Vesikari score ≥11) showed an inverse relationship with convulsions (OR 0.09).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated body temperature is a significant correlate of convulsions in children with AGE.
  • Hyperglycemia may indicate a neuroendocrine stress response in children experiencing convulsions due to AGE.
  • The severity of AGE, as measured by the Vesikari score, is not directly associated with the occurrence of convulsions.

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