Febrile seizure prevalence in children in the Erzurum provincial center

Abstract

Objective: We investigate the prevalence of febrile seizure (FS) in children Erzurum, Turkey, and to reveal its epidemiological characteristics. Material and Methods: This was a sectional study. The proportionate layer sampling technique was used by calculating the population consisting of children aged 1 month to 5 years registered with general practitioners in the Erzurum provincial center and the participants selected. By explaining the definition of FS to participants, the existence of FS in the participant's children were questioned. In this way the demographic characteristics, the characteristics of FS and the risk factors of FS are determined with these questionnaires. Completed questionnaires were recorded. Results: 126 subjects, 71 (56.3%) male and 55 (43.7%) female had undergone FS. The total prevalence rate was 6.4%, 5.6% in females and 7.2% in males. A family history of FS was determined in 35.7% of those with FS, and a history of epilepsy in the family was 5.6% positive. Prevalence of FS was higher in those with asphyxia at birth and a family history of FS. Conclusion: The prevalence of FS was closer to that of developed countries rather than developing ones. FS described as with good prognosis were determined as having a high risk of recurrence and a higher risk of developing epilepsy compared to the general population. The most important risk factor was determined as a family history of FS. © Copyright 2016 by Türkiye Klinikleri.