Risk Factors of Seizures in Children

Abstract

Background: As the most prevalent noncontagious neurologic condition, epilepsy is an important cause of mortality and disability in children, and its etiology is an important issue. Objectives: Epilepsy may be induced by different risk factors, some of which may be unclear; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the risk factors of seizures in children. Methods: Children with seizures admitted to the Pediatric Clinic of Amir-Kabir Hospital were enrolled in this study. First, accurate biography of the parents was taken to rule out other differential diagnoses of seizures. After the diagnosis of seizures, based on the diagnosis of a pediatric neurologist, demographic information, detailed history of seizure, neurologic examination, and process of growth and development were recorded. Then, we take electroencephalogram (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography scans from study cases. Results: Of the 291 evaluated cases, 54.6% were male. Variables associated with seizure and epilepsy evaluation showed that generalized tonic-clonic seizure was the most prevalent seizure in 134 children (46%). The duration of seizures was lower than 15 minutes in 266 cases; in addition, 191 children (55.5%) had a fever before seizures. Regarding underlying diseases, 268 children (92.2%) had no disease. Cerebral palsy (CP) was the most common underlying disease in 10 cases (3.4%). Conclusions: Infectious diseases (such as gastroenteritis and pneumonia) were observed as the most important possible risk factors in this study.