Long-term outcome of children with febrile seizures.

This study investigates the long-term outcome of children admitted to hospital for febrile seizures (FS) in Singapore. Children born between 1/1/1980 and 31/12/1982 who were admitted to the Singapore General Hospital between 1/1/81 and 31/12/82 with FS were the subjects of this study. Four hundred and seventy-nine children were identified. Their medical records were analysed. Four hundred and seventy-six children (99.4%) were traced in 1988. The average age at follow up was 7.3 years. There were no deaths or permanent neurological deficits from FS. Eighteen children had one or more afebrile seizure (AFS) following the initial FS. In 8 children a condition precipitating the AFS could be identified. Ten children (2.1%) had unprovoked AFS. Five children had one AFS, and the other 5 had more than one AFS. The incidence of epilepsy was 1.0%. Children with a FS lasting 30 minutes or more had a higher incidence of subsequent unprovoked AFS compared to children whose FS were less than 30 minutes. The incidences were 12.1% and 1.4% respectively (p = 0.003). Children with a family history of epilepsy and/or fits had an increased risk compared to children with no family history of fits or with a family history of FS only. The incidence were 9.1% and 1.6% respectively (p = .027). Sex, race, age of onset of FS, total number of recurrent FS and EEG findings were not significant predicators.