Older Patients May Have More Frequent Seizures among Children Diagnosed as Benign Convulsions with Mild Gastroenteritis

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis (CwG) is a condition that does not usually require treatment. However, when the patient experiences multiple seizures or prolonged seizures, anticonvulsant treatment may be required. We investigated this study to identify the factors that may influence on the number or duration of seizures at CwG. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of CwG patients who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics at Sanggye Paik Hospital. Results A total of 105 children with CwG were enrolled. The mean age was 19.59 ± 7.09 months. The mean duration of seizure was 2.79 ± 5.51 minutes and mean number of seizure was 2.33 ± 1.70. Sixty-nine children had seizures less than twice, whereas 36 experienced three times or more. These groups differed significantly according to age in CwG (18.16 ± 7.08, vs. 22.33 ± 6.34 months, p < 0.05). When patients were divided into two groups based on age in CwG using a cut-off of 20 months, we found significant differences in seizure number (1.91 ± 1.27 vs. 3.11 ± 2.10, p < 0.05). There was also a positive correlation between patient age and frequency of seizures (R = 0.316, p = 0.001). Patients who received anticonvulsants were older (17.60 ± 6.87 vs. 22.04 ± 6.63 months, p < 0.05) and had more frequent (1.59 ± 1.37 vs. 3.26 ± 1.63, p < 0.05) and longer seizures (1.76 ± 2.75 vs. 4.07 ± 7.49 minutes, p < 0.05). Conclusion As the number of seizure in CwG was associated with age, treatment in older children may be required in acute stage.