Prevalence and Characteristics of Febrile Seizures in COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A Tertiary Medical-Center Retrospective Study.

Abstract

BackgroundFebrile seizures (FS) are often associated with viral infections. COVID-19 infection may be related to FS. The objective is to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of FS during COVID-19 period.MethodsThis retrospective study of children aged 6-60 months with FS or COVID-19 infection was conducted at a tertiary hospital from January 2020 to November 2023, categorized by pre-Omicron, transition, and Omicron periods. Data from all FS and COVID-19 cases were descriptively analyzed using mean or median, and compared across three periods using ANOVA. The characteristics of FS with and without COVID-19 patients, as well as COVID-19 with and without FS patients, were compared by using t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test.ResultsThe FS prevalence in COVID-19 patients was 0.36%, with age-specific prevalence of 1.31% in COVID-19 cases aged 6-60 months. Males were more prevalent in all FS groups. Generalized seizures and simple FS were the most common presentations. Thirty-three percent of FS with COVID-19 were complex febrile seizures, compared to 20% in non-COVID-19 cases. Cough was a significant symptom in COVID-19 without FS (p=0.03), while male, higher body temperature, pulse and respiratory rate were more prevalent in COVID-19 cases with FS (p <0.05).ConclusionsCOVID-19 does not increase the risk of FS compared to other causes. Male gender, higher body temperature, pulse and respiratory rate in COVID-19 children are associated with FS. Cough was a less relevant symptom for FS in COVID-19 children. Well-designed, large-scale research is needed to better understand FS in pediatric COVID-19 patients.