Clinical and Paraclinical Aspects of Febrile Convulsions in Children at the Ziguinchor Peace Hospital: Documentary Study

Abstract

Introduction: Febrile seizures are seizures associated with fever in children. They represent a frequent reason for consultation in pediatric emergencies. Febrile convulsions are often qualified as benign pathologies but they are a source of concern, explaining the number of tolls imposed on these children. The aim of the study was to report the practice to a hospital in Senegal. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of children's records, from January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2020. Were included, patients aged less than or equal to 5 years, hospitalized in the pediatric department of the Ziguinchor Peace Hospital, for a febrile convulsion. Newborns and children with psychomotor development abnormalities were excluded. We have studied the clinical and etiological data. Results: We collected 85 (51 boys, 34 girls) cases of febrile convulsions, ie a hospital frequency of 10,6%. The mean age of the patients was 23,6 months, peaking in infants 12 to 18 months. The mean temperature was 38,8° C and the seizure was tonic-clonic in 64,7%. We noted 57 cases of simple febrile convulsions (67,1%) and 28 cases of complicated febrile convulsions (32,9%). The etiology of fever was dominated by otorhinolaryngologic infections (42,4%); malaria (18,8%) and bronchopulmonary infections (08,2%). The average length of hospital stay was 02,8 days. We deplored two deaths (02,4%). Conclusion: Febrile convulsions are common in children under 5 years old. They are secondary to respiratory tract infections and malaria.