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Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2021; 19(01): 007-013
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1685485
Original Article

Malaria Infection as a Leading Cause of Febrile Seizures among Children with Seizures in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

Oluwasola Julius Oke
1   Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria
,
Adebukola Ajite
2   Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
,
Oluwadare Isaac Oluwayemi
2   Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
,
Oladele Simeon Olatunya
2   Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
,
Ezra Olatunde Ogundare
2   Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
,
Fadlulai Olaoluwa Abdulraheem
2   Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Febrile seizure (FS) is among the leading cause of pediatric admissions in developing countries. The etiologic patterns of FS among children attending Pediatric Emergency of Ekiti State Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti were studied. A prospective study of children who had FS was carried out. A prevalence of 2.9% was found and malaria was the leading cause of FS in 111 (85.4%) patients. Seventy-eight (60%) of the 130 patients with FS had their seizure occurring within the first 24 hours of onset of fever. Malaria was the most common cause of fever precipitating FS in the index study. Prevention of malaria and prompt management of fever will reduce the prevalence and improve the outcome of FS. The overall prevalence of FS is similar to developed countries and the etiology is similar to other studies from Nigeria.

Keywords

patterns - febrile seizure - etiology - malaria


Publication History

Received: 15 December 2018

Accepted: 07 March 2019

Article published online:
20 April 2019

© 2019. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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