Demographic characteristics and risk factors of first febrile seizures: a Jordanian experience

A prospective study of 203 children admitted with a first febrile seizure w as carried out over 18 months. Aseptic meningitis was diagnosed in nine chi ldren (4%). The mean age of the children was 19.9 months and the peak age i ncidence (88%) was between 6 months and 3 years. Complex seizures were seen in 16 cases (8%). There was a history of perinatal asphyxia in 16 patients (8%), positive family history of epilepsy in 3%, of first degree relatives and a history of febrile seizures in siblings in 13%, Upper respiratory tr act infection was the commonest triggering factor, diagnosed in 53% of case s. The third child was the most commonly affected (22%) in the family. Ther e was a lower incidence of both complex febrile seizures and history of sei zures in siblings compared to other studies. Lumbar puncture should be cons idered for all children below the age of 2 years, presenting with a first f ebrile seizure.