Distribution of risk factors among children with febrile convulsions in Benin City

Abstract

Background: Previous reports on Febrile Convulsion (FC) in Nigerian children have mainly highlighted the clinical presentations, complications and management of the condition. There are also no systematic studies conducted to identify the associated risk factors among Nigerian children. This study therefore describes the risk factors that are associated with febrile convulsion in Benin City
Objective: To document the risk factors in the development of febrile convulsions in Benin City.
Methods: Descriptive prospective study involving 57 children aged 6months to 60months.
Results: The children were made up of 34 (59.6%) males and 23 (40.4%) females with a ratio of 1.5:1. Fourteen (24.6%) children were aged less than 12 months; 27 (47.3%) aged 12 to 24 months; and 16 (28.1%) older than 24months. The mean age was 18months. A family history of febrile convulsion was noted in 21 (36.8%) of the 57 children. The occurrence of febrile convulsion was highest in the 2nd born children and peaked during the 2nd year of life.
Conclusion: Febrile convulsions occur more frequently in the presence of proximal and distal risk factors. The proximal risk factors are male gender, age < 2 years, 2nd birth order and positive family nd history. The social status of families is a distal risk factor. The second year of life and 2 birth order are the strongest predisposing factors to the development of FC.

Key words: Febrile convulsions, Risk factors, Benin City, Nigeria