RISK-FACTORS FOR SUBSEQUENT EPILEPSY AFTER FEBRILE CONVULSIONS

To evaluate the risk of subsequent epilepsy after febrile convulsions and the long-term prognosis of such patients, the risk factors for afe brile seizures following initial febrile convulsions were studied in 1 54 hospitalized children: 122 with simple febrile convulsions and 32 w ith complex features of febrile convulsions. The mean follow-up period was 7 years 2 months (range, 4 yr - 11 yr 2 mo). Nineteen patients (1 2.3%) developed subsequent epilepsy in the follow-up period. The seizu re types in patients with subsequent epilepsy following febrile convul sion included generalized seizures in seven patients, complex partial seizures in five patients, partial seizures evolving to secondary gene ralized seizures in six patients and benign childhood epilepsy with ce ntrotemporal spike in one patient. The occurrence of epilepsy was stro ngly associated with complex features of febrile convulsions, preexist ing neurodevelopmental abnormalities, family history of epilepsy, and abnormal electroencephalographic findings. However, the number of recu rrences of febrile convulsions, sex, family history of febrile convuls ions, age of onset and long-term prophylactic use of anticonvulsants f or febrile convulsions were not significant factors for subsequent epi lepsy. This study demonstrates the importance of identifying the risk factors for subsequent afebrile seizures after febrile convulsions.