Gastroenteritis Related Seizure with or without Fever: Comparison Clinical Features and Serum Sodium Level

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the clinical characteristics and serum sodium level in children with gastroenteritis related seizure with or without fever. MATERIALS & METHODS: This clinical study was performed in Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran from 2007 to 2014. Overall, 165 patients aged 6-60 months with gastroenteritis related seizure were studied. Demographic, seizure and gastroenteritis characteristics and laboratory findings were recorded. RESULTS: Among the 165 children 47.3% were female. Vomiting was 2.7±2.6 and 3.9±1.9 times in febrile and afebrile group. Duration of diarrhea was 1.8±1.8 days and 2.1±1.3 days in febrile and afebrile groups (p=0.014). 36% in febrile group and 6.4% in afebrile group experienced seizure within the first 24 h of gastroenteritis (P<0.001). Seizure in 99.1% in febrile and 93.6% in afebrile group was generalized (P>0.05). Seizure was more than 5 min in 51.4% in febrile and 57.4% in afebrile groups (P>0.05). Drowsiness after seizure was seen in 72.9% and 60% in febrile and afebrile group respectively (P>0.05). The serum level of sodium was 137.6±3.98 mEq/L and 138.5±3.78 mEq/L in febrile and afebrile groups (P>0.05). 26.3% in febrile group and 8.5% in afebrile group had hyponatremia (P=0.012). There was no difference in seizure duration between hyponatremic patients and others (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Type, duration of seizure and drowsiness after seizure had not any difference in febrile and afebrile cases. Vomiting and duration of diarrhea before admission was lower in febrile group. Seizure within the first 24 h of gastroenteritis was higher in febrile group. Mild hyponatremia in febrile group was higher than afebrile group. No difference in duration of seizure was detected between hyponatremic patients and others.