Factors associated with febrile seizures in Peruvian children

Introduction: Febrile seizure is the most common neurological disorder in childhood and the most common in pediatric neurological practice. Has a multifactorial etiology. In Peru, there are isolated studies reporting similar risk factors. Objective: To determine the factors associated with febrile seizures in children attended at the Hospital Regional Lambayeque, Peru. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in patients aged 6 months to 5 years in a neuropediatric outpatient service and in an emergency department from 2015 to 2018 of the Regional Lambayeque Hospital. The sample consisted of 32 cases and 32 controls matched 1:1 for sex and age. A questionnaire was used to collect general information, classification of febrile seizures and possible risk factors. Crude Odds ratios (cOR) and adjusted Odds ratios (aOR) were estimated using simple and multiple logistic regression models, respectively. Results: Most of the patients who presented episodes of febrile seizure were 13-24 months of age (46,9 %). A lower probability of febrile seizure was evidenced in those patients with congenital comorbidities (aOR: 0,17; 95 % CI: 0,03-0,93). Patients who had acute infectious diarrhea (aOR: 8,16; 95 % CI: 1,37-48,55) and acute upper respiratory infection (aOR: 1,49; 95 % CI: 1,89-82,42) had a higher probability of FS. Conclusions: Having acute infectious diarrhea and acute upper respiratory infection increase the likelihood of developing febrile seizure. Conversely, having congenital comorbidity reduces the likelihood of this condition.