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Childhood febrile seizures (Benin City experience)

J O Obi1, N A Ejeheri, W Alakija

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Asir Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia.

Annals of Tropical Paediatrics
|January 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Febrile seizures affect 20% of pediatric admissions, with a strong family link. Malaria and bronchopneumonia are key fever causes, while harmful traditional practices worsen outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Febrile seizures are common in children, necessitating research into their causes and contributing factors.
  • Understanding the epidemiology of febrile seizures is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and etiological factors of febrile seizures in admitted children.
  • To identify common causes of fever leading to convulsions in pediatric patients.
  • To explore the role of socio-cultural practices in morbidity and mortality associated with febrile seizures.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of pediatric admissions.
  • Data collection on patient demographics, seizure characteristics, and fever etiology.
  • Assessment of socio-cultural factors influencing healthcare practices.

Main Results:

  • Febrile convulsions were present in 20% of admitted children.
  • A significant familial predisposition to febrile seizures was observed.
  • Malaria (32.7%) was the leading cause of fever, followed by bronchopneumonia (16.8%), measles (15.4%), otitis media (13.4%), and tonsillitis (10.5%).
  • Certain age groups (below 5 months or above 5 years) represented 5% of cases.

Conclusions:

  • Febrile seizures have a notable familial link and are frequently associated with common childhood infections.
  • Socio-cultural practices may negatively impact patient outcomes, highlighting the need for health education.
  • Targeted interventions addressing malaria and other infections are essential for reducing febrile seizure-related morbidity.

Keywords:
AfricaAfrica South Of The SaharaAge FactorsChildChild MortalityDemographic FactorsDeveloping CountriesDiseasesEnglish Speaking AfricaHereditary DiseasesMorbidity--determinantsMortalityNigeriaPopulationPopulation CharacteristicsPopulation DynamicsProspective StudiesResearch ReportStudiesWestern AfricaYouth

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