Predictors of Recurrent Febrile Seizure

Kim, Seung Hyo

Abstract

PURPOSE
We performed this study to investigate the clinical features of febrile seizure (FS) and to identify prognostic factors of recurrence of FS on Jeju Island, South Korea.
METHODS
A hospital-based retrospective study was performed in 307 children with FS whose first episode developed between July 2005 and June 2013 seen at the Pediatric Department of Jeju National University Hospital.
RESULTS
307 children (189 boys and 118 girls) were enrolled in this study. Based on first FS semiology, 97.1% (298/307) of cases manifested as generalized seizure and 2.9% of cases showed focal seizure. Moreover, 23.5% (72/307) of cases had complex FS as the first FS. The average age at the first FS was 18.4 months. A family history of FS or epilepsy was found in 30.6% and 5.2% of patients, respectively. Recurrence occurred in 67.6% of patients; among them, 93.7% had their first recurrence within 1 year. Multivariate analysis identified the following factors as significant predictors of recurrence of FS: early onset of FS (< or =15 months of age) and a family history of FS.
CONCLUSIONS
We identified the following risk factors for recurrence of FS: early onset of FS (< or =15 months of age) and a family history of FS.