Recurrent Seizure during Hospitalization in Children with the First Febrile Seizure: Incidence and Risk Factors

Background: The present study aimed at evaluating the demographic and laboratory factors associated with the recurrent seizure during hospitalization in the children with the first febrile seizure. Methods: This cohort study was performed in Ghaem hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, from 2018 to 2019. Totally 483 admitted children aged 6-60 months with the first febrile seizure were included. The repetition of seizure during hospitalization was considered as incidence of recurrent seizure. Results: Among 483 children with the first febrile seizure, recurrent seizure occurred in 57 patients (11.8%). The serum level of potassium, magnesium and calcium in children with recurrent seizure significantly was lower in comparison to the patients without repeated seizure. Complex seizure was the major risk factor for recurrent seizure (relative risk: 377.74, p=0.001). The risk of recurrent seizure decreased with the increase of serum level of potassium, calcium and magnesium. The risk of recurrent seizure increased with the increase of body temperature but not significantly. Conclusion: The incidence rate of recurrent seizure in children with the first febrile seizure was 118 cases per 1000 population. Complex seizure was the main risk factor for the seizure recurrence. Higher serum levels of potassium, calcium and magnesium may decrease the risk of recurrent seizure.