Relationship Between Common Viral Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Febrile Seizures in Children From Suzhou, China

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the potential predisposing factors for the development of febrile seizures among children with upper respiratory tract infection in the eastern Chinese region. Participants were individuals aged 6 months and 6 years (n = 189) who were diagnosed with febrile seizure, complicated with upper respiratory tract infection, and 174 age-matched children who had upper respiratory tract infection without seizures as controls. The viral antigens including influenza A and B, parainfluenza, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus were detected from nasopharyngeal aspirates. The incidence of influenza A infection was much higher in patients with febrile seizure than controls, especially those children aged >36 months. Patients with influenza A infection had higher body temperatures at seizure occurrence, shorter seizure duration, and shorter fever duration before seizure onset. Influenza A infections are frequently associated with febrile seizure in children with upper respiratory tract infection. During an influenza epidemic, effective vaccination of children, especially those with a past history of febrile seizure, may minimize the development of febrile seizure.

Effects of high temperature on pandemic and seasonal human influenza viral replication and infection-induced damage in primary human tracheal epithelial cell cultures

“…According to Tang et al. [4], a high temperature is indicated by a 39.4 °C for the mean peak body temperature, and 3–4 days of febrile episodes in children with seizures induced by influenza virus infection. In the present study, the titers of the A/H1N1 pdm 2009 virus decreased in cells cultured at 39 °C for 72 h post-infection (Fig.…”

“…Fewer domes were observed on uninfected cell monolayers cultured at 40 °C for 72 h than on uninfected cell monolayers cultured at 37 °C, and dome formation disappeared in infected cell monolayers cultured at 37 °C and 40 °C for 72 h post-infection. Thus, exposure to high temperatures observed in humans for 3–4 days after influenza virus infection [4] may induce human airway epithelial cell damage and may reduce the replication of pandemic and seasonal human influenza viruses, although exposure to high temperature of 40 °C for more than 96 h may not be occur in humans.…”

“…In contrast, fever is the major symptom of influenza virus infection, and the use of antipyretic drugs to treat fever is thought necessary in children suffering from adverse effects of high temperature, such as febrile seizures [1, 4], as well as in patients with dehydration and severe outcomes caused by high temperature-induced excessive sweating and anorexia [5, 6]. However, the toxic effects of high temperature on human airway epithelial cells during influenza virus infection require further study.…”

Evaluation of Viral (HHV6, Adenovirus, HSV1, Enterovirus) and Bacterial Infection in Children with Febrile Convulsion by Serum PCR and Blood Culture Mofid Children’s Hospital , 2016 - 2017

“…The researchers in Australia also identified influenza in 13% of their samples; we did not look for the influenza virus. In Asia, the influenza virus has been found to be associated with febrile seizures in the influenza season and may be accompanied by a concurrent HHV infection (1,14). In Europe and the United States, however, HHV-6 is associated with one-third of all first-time febrile seizures in infants and children less than 2 years of age (14).…”

“…In addition to high fever, risk factors for FS include infections, recent immunization, and previous or family history of FS (1,5,(9)(10)(11)(12). Although a proprietary virus has not been identified as the cause of FS, Influenza A virus, HHV6, adenovirus, enterovirus have been implicated as the most common agents that provoke a febrile convulsion (1,5,9,13,14). Viral infections may trigger a seizure not only due to high fever but release of inflammatory cytokines especially IL-1B that provoke epileptogenesis, as has been shown in animal studies (13,15).…”