Clinical study of epileptic children with history of febrile convulsion.

BACKGROUND

Clinically, some epileptic syndromes have been linked to febrile convulsions (FC), but the exact relationship between FC and later epilepsy remains a mystery.

METHODS

Detailed histories of 81 Chinese children among 1950 pediatric epileptics with a history of FC were obtained retrospectively. The clinical courses and risk factors were analyzed.

RESULTS

According to their epileptic patterns, the children were divided into a generalized group (Group G, 45/81), a partial group (Group P, 30/81) and those with severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (6/81). Patients of Group P had an earlier age of onset of FC with a larger number of risk factors than those of Group G (p < 0.01), and patients of Group G had a shorter interval from the last FC to later epilepsy than those of Group P (p < 0.01). More risk factors of FC were present in children of Group P; these included especially focal seizures, prolonged duration and retarded psychomotor development (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

For group of epileptics in this study, genetic factors might predispose for the expression of FC and later epilepsy, and anticonvulsant prophylaxis for FC seemed to be unnecessary.