Clinical Analysis of the Correlation between Febrile Seizures and Influenza Infection

Sohn, Youngsoo; Kwon, Soonhak; Moon, Jungeun; Ahn, Ji Young; Kim, Jung Eun; Baek, Hee Sun

Abstract

PURPOSE
Febrile seizures are common in children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years of age and are often caused by viral illnesses. Influenza infection presents with a variety of neurological conditions including seizures. This study was aimed to evaluate the correlation of influenza infection and febrile seizures.
METHODS
Eighty-four children with febrile seizures were involved in the study from October 2013 to March 2014. They were divided into two groups (febrile seizures with influenza infection, febrile seizures without influenza infection). Their medical records including clinical characteristics such as seizure types, seizure frequency, seizure duration, developmental history, brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) study and electroencephalogram(EEG) findings were reviewed.
RESULTS
Twenty six out of 242 children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years diagnosed with influenza infection had febrile seizures (10.7%), which is higher than known prevalence of febrile seizures. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics such as seizure types, seizure frequency, seizure duration, developmental history, brain MRI, CSF study and EEG findings between the two groups. However, onset age of febrile seizures with influenza infection was older than the other group without influenza infection(P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
It has been considered that influenza infections are common during the cold seasons and are the main causative factor for febrile seizures. Based on the findings from this study, Influenza infection may be a significant risk factor for febrile seizures. However, further studies are needed.