A Cilinical Study of Diarrhea-Associated Benign Infantile Convulsion

Lee, Suk Jin; Hwang, Tae Gyu

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to reveal the detailed clinical features of diarrhea- associated benign infantile convulsion.
METHODS
We studied 34 patients with diarrhea-associated benign infantile convulsion between March 2000 and February 2004.
RESULTS
There were 34 patients with diarrhea-associated benign infantile convulsion : 19 boys and 15 girls. The age of the disease onset ranged from 3 to 34(mean; 18.7+/-6.6) months. The incidence was high from November to March. The types of the seizures were generalized tonic-clonic or generalized tonic in 32(94%) of 34 episodes, while the seizure types changed during episodes for 2 patients. The durations of seizures were from 3 sec to 10 min. 2 or more seizures occurred in 22(64.7%) episodes. A family history of febrile or afebrile convulsions was noted in 3 patients. There were no abnormalities in serum biochemistry tests. 12 out of 22 patients showed positive rotavirus antigen tests. Interictal EEG's were normal in 26 out of 30 episodes. CT or MRI demonstrated no neuroradiological abnormalities in 13 out of 14 patients. 4 patients experienced recurrence of diarrhea-associated benign infantile convulsion, but none had more than 2 episodes. Epilepsy developed in none of the patients during the follow-up period.
CONCLUSION
Diarrhea-associated benign infantile convulsion is characterized by a cluster of seizures. A continous or intermittent antiepileptic treatment is not required because recurrence or later development of epilepsy is rare. Appropriate treatment for a cluster of seizures will be the subject of future studies.