Probable risk factors for epilepsy development following febrile seizure: A retrospective, observational study

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for epilepsy development following febrile seizure (FS). Methods:This study included 449 patients undergoing first FS between 2014 and 2017. The sociodemographic, clinical, and electroencephalography (EEG) characteristics of the patients were retrieved from hospital records. Patients followed-up for at least 3 years after FS were divided into two groups (epilepsy and FS group; FS only group). Results: Of the 449 patients followed-up due to FS (238 [53.2%] boys and 211 [46.8%] girls), 42 (9.4%) were diagnosed with epilepsy during follow-up. The mean age at the time of the first FS was 21.4 +/- 14.5 months. A positive family history of FS and epilepsy was observed in 217 (48.3%) and 66 (14.7%) patients, respectively. In terms of FS characteristics, the prevalence of complex FS was significantly higher in the subsequent epilepsy group. The presence of a history of perinatal asphyxia and epileptiform or background abnormality findings at first EEG was also significantly higher in the subsequent epilepsy group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study show that a history of perinatal asphyxia, complex FS, and epileptiform discharges at initial EEG exhibited an increased association with epilepsy development.