RISK-FACTORS FOR A FIRST FEBRILE SEIZURE - A MATCHED CASE-CONTROL STUDY

We conducted a matched case-control study to identify risk factors for first febrile seizures, with special emphasis on characteristics of t he acute illness episode. Cases were identified through hospital emerg ency departments; controls were identified through outpatient clinics and emergency departments. Sixty-nine children with first febrile seiz ures and no history of previous unprovoked seizures were matched for a ge (+/-6 months), site of routine pediatric care, and date of visit (/-2 weeks) with 1 or 2 febrile controls who had no history of previous febrile or unprovoked seizures, Medical records for the index visit w ere reviewed, and parents were interviewed by telephone. Illness chara cteristics examined included height of temperature, type of underlying illness, contact with a physician during the illness but before the i ndex visit, and use of acetaminophen or decongestants. Family history of febrile and of unprovoked seizures, sociodemographic characteristic s, daycare use, and selected pre- and perinatal variables were also st udied. On multivariable analysis, significant independent risk factors were height of temperature, history of febrile seizures in a first- o r in a higher degree relative. Gastroenteritis as the underlying illne ss had a significant inverse (i.e., protective) association with febri le seizures. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was a marginally signif icant predictor of febrile seizures.