The seasonal distribution of febrile seizures does not follow the seasonal distribution of febrile illnesses in infants and toddlers

Abstract

Objective – The aim of the study was to determine whether the febrile seizures occur more often in the cold period of the year (winter) when there are significantly more viral infections with fever in infants and toddlers, compared to the rest of the year.

Patients and methods – A study was conducted at the Pediatric Clinic, University Clinical Centre in Sarajevo, and included all patients admitted for febrile seizures in two year period, 2011-2012. The data collected as possible predictors were: the time of the year when the febrile seizure was manifested, the season, and infectious causes of fever.

Results – There were more male children, and the first febrile seizure occurred at an average age of 20.82±02.14 months. The most common diagnosis for which the subjects were hospitalized was acute tonsillopharyngitis, and febrile illnesses with respiratory tract infections were present in 88.9% of children with febrile seizures. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of these diseases as an associated factor throughout the surveyed years, and no difference in the incidence of febrile seizures on a seasonal and monthly basis (χ2 =0.210; p=0.976 and χ2 =0.658; p=0.417 respectively).

Conclusion – The increased incidence of diseases with fever in young children in the winter months does not result in more frequent febrile seizures, which suggests that increased body temperature may not be the only factor which is linked to febrile seizures, and emphasizes genetic factors.