A Study of the Clinical Features of Benign Convulsions with Acute Gastroenteritis in Children

Lee, Eun Jeong; Pang, Sung Joon; Yoo, Hwang Jae

Abstract

PURPOSE
We investigated the complexities of benign convulsions associated with gastroenteritis in children.
METHODS
We selected children diagnosed as afebrile convulsion with acute gastroenteritis from June 2006 to May 2008 who had been admitted to the Kwandong Medical College Myongji Hospital. We investigated clinical features, EEGs, and brain imaging results for patients exhibiting complex-type seizures (Group B) and compared the data with that from patients with simple seizures (Group A). The statistical significance between the two groups was subsequently examined.
RESULTS
A total of 43 patients showed afebrile benign convulsions with acute gastroenteritis, and 18 patients were diagnosed as CwG (benign convulsions with acute gastroenteritis). The median age of Group B was 26.3 month which was significantly higher than that of Group A (P < 0.05). The gender ratio was 3.5 times more in higher female of Group A compared to Group B (P < 0.05). The most common type of seizure in both groups was generalized tonic convulsions, and there were no statistical differences in the laboratory results between the two groups. Further, Group B showed more frequent abnormal findings than Group B with respect to EEG and brain imaging studies (P < 0.05). All of the abnormal findings in brain imaging studies were structural abnormalities unrelated with CwG, and patients with abnormal EEGs showed no recurrent seizure attacks and exhibited normal follow-up EEGs after discharge.
CONCLUSION
CwG with complex-type seizure frequently occurred in children older than three years of age regardless of gender, and also in patients with underlying CNS diseases. Regardless of recurrent seizures or seizures lasting more than 15 minutes, patients diagnosed as CwG would receive a favorable prognosis.