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Convulsions in the first three years of life

E J Rossiter, J Luckin, A Vile

    The Medical Journal of Australia
    |November 26, 1977
    PubMed

    Insights

    This study found that 6.2% of infants experienced convulsions in their first three years. Fever-associated convulsions were most common, followed by breath-holding attacks and idiopathic seizures.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Neurology
    • Epidemiology

    Background:

    • Childhood convulsions are a significant concern for parents and healthcare providers.
    • Understanding the incidence and types of convulsions in early childhood is crucial for diagnosis and management.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the incidence and etiology of convulsions in the first three years of life in a prospective cohort of Australian infants.
    • To identify associated factors and compare pregnancy and birth data with a control group.

    Main Methods:

    • Prospective study of 5803 consecutive newborn infants.
    • Follow-up for the first three years of life, with 90.9% retention rate.
    • Classification of convulsion types including fever-associated, breath-holding, idiopathic, neonatal, and mixed aetiology.

    Main Results:

    • An overall incidence of 61.7 per 1000 infants experienced convulsions.
    • Fever-associated convulsions occurred in 39.9 per 1000, breath-holding in 8.1 per 1000, and idiopathic in 8.2 per 1000.
    • Neonatal and mixed aetiology convulsions were less common, at 2.8 per 1000 and 2.7 per 1000, respectively.

    Conclusions:

    • Convulsions are relatively common in early childhood, with fever-related seizures being the most frequent type.
    • The study provides valuable epidemiological data on childhood convulsions, aiding in understanding their prevalence and causes.
    • Further research into specific risk factors and long-term outcomes is warranted.

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