Febrile convulsions in northern Japan: a quantitative and qualitative analysis of EEG and clinical findings.

In an attempt to describe the characteristics of febrile convulsions (FC) 133 children with a history of FC were checked neurologically at health centers in northern Japan. Using categorical data from principal component analysis, family history of FC, recurrence and body temperature prior to convulsion, EEG disorders, exogenous factors, age at onset as the principal components were extracted. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of EEG showed that children with FC had more paroxysmal and basic abnormalities, that the rate of appearance of theta wave was more common and of alpha wave was less common, and that mean values of frequency ranges of theta and alpha wave ranges together were significantly lower in the background activity than those of control group children.