Risk Factors for Recurrence of Febrile Seizure in Children

Bae, Eun Joo; Kim, In Chul; Park, Won Il; Kim, Bong Sung; Lee, Hong Jin; Lee, Kyung Ja

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We researched the factors influencing recurrence, frequency and recurrence interval after first attack of febrile seizure.
METHODS
The study was performed in 125 children who visited emergency rooms and was followed up over 24 months after the first febrile seizure. Children were divided into several groups according to fever degree, onset age, sex, seizure duration, serum sodium concentration at first seizure attack. The recurrence rate, frequency, and recurrence interval of each group were then compared.
RESULTS
1) Febrile seizures recurred in 36(28.8%) of 125 children with 2.89 seizure episodes, and recurrence occurred within 6 months in 18(50.0%), within 12 months in 26(72.2%), within 18 months in 33(91.2%) after the first febrile seizures. 2) The recurrence rate was significantly high in children who developed seizures before 12 months of age(P<0.05), and slightly increased in cases with a positive family history and lower degree of fever groups, but statistically no significance was found. 3) Seizure frequencies were also high in younger age group(3.25 episodes), compared to the older age group. 4) Recurrence within 6 months from onset occurred in 72% of the young age group. The younger the age at first occurrence the more likely the recurrence rate. The duration of seizure, sex, and serum sodium concentration did not meaningfully affect recurrent rate and frequency.
CONCLUSION
In children who have had a first febrile seizure, recurrence is common. The onset of the first febrile seizure at an early age was associated with an increased risk of more frequent recurrent febrile seizures and a short recurrence interval after first febrile seizure.