Frequency and Predictors of Febrile Seizures in Children Aged 6 Months to 5 Years Presenting to Emergency Departments

Abstract

Background

Febrile seizures regularly occur in children from 6 months to 5 years and are a leading reason why parents bring their children to emergency departments. They usually aren’t harmful, but they can be uncomfortable. If risk factors are found early, doctors can better manage the child’s health and comfort the parents when such concerns are investigated.

Objectives

The study quantifies the occurrence of febrile seizures among febrile pediatric patients presenting to emergency departments and delineates significant clinical predictors associated with an elevated risk of seizure manifestation.

Study Desgin: A Prospective study.

Place and Duration of study . Department of pediatric MTI,LRH Peshawar  from January  2023 to Dec 2023

Methods

This study conducted at  Departments of pediatric MTI,LRH Peshawar from jan 2023 to dec 2024 on this Prospective study was performed one year  Only children aged 6 months to 5 years, including those with a high body temperature (≥38°C), were accepted into the study. People with epilepsy, CNS infections or metabolic disorders were not included in the study. Information was gathered on patients’ age, family histories, symptoms of fever and the presence or absence of seizures. This analysis was carried out using SPSS v25 with p-values <0.05 taken as statistically meaningful.

Results

Febrile seizures were seen in 18.7% (84) of the children who presented with a fever. Seizure patients on average were 22.3 months old with a standard deviation of 10.7 months. Seizures in the family, high-grade fever ≥39°C and a viral infection make a statistically significant difference (p=0.001, p=0.002 and p=0.03, respectively). Both gender and nutritional status were unrelated to the results (p>0.05). Most children experienced generalized febrile seizures within one day after the fever began. Children with relatives who experienced febrile seizures were three times likelier to do so as well.

Conclusion

one out of five febrile children arriving at the emergency department experienced a febrile seizure. The presence of a high fever and a family history of the illness were key independent predictors. Identifying these risks early can help clinicians assess the patient, choose the best approach for surveillance and teach parents about prevention. When treating febrile children, emergency protocols should identify which children need extra care and avoid giving unnecessary treatment.