Recurrent febrile seizures within 24 hours

Aim. To rule out features of recurrent febrile seizures within 24 hours that differ from simple febrile convulsions, and to identify risk factors for multiple febrile convulsions. Methods. This is a retrospective study of children, aged from 6 to 36 months, with the first febrile seizure admitted to a tertiary referral hospital during a 6-year period. Children with developmental delay and those previously treated with antibiotics or anticonvulsants were excluded. Results. 108 patients were investigated: 73 and 35 patients with the first simple and multiple febrile seizures respectively. Convulsions occurred within the first 24 hours of febrile illness in 88% of children. Multiple febrile seizures tended to occur at lower body temperatures. Febrile convulsions repeated within 12 hours in 94% of patients with multiple seizures, mostly within a 2-hour period. Conclusion. Factors that favour multiple febrile convulsions are: boys whose first degree relatives had febrile seizures and children with perinatal problems. Possible risk factors are: atomic initial attack, positive family history for epilepsy and unknown focus of infection on admission.