Association of Serum Zinc Level with Febrile Seizures in Children

Introduction: Febrile seizure (FS), previously known as febrile convulsion, is the most common seizure in children. FS usually occurs between six months and five years of age. Aims and objectives: The main objective of the study is to find the association of serum zinc level with febrile seizures in children of Pakistan. Material and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore during June 2020 to January 2021. The data was collected from 164 patients of both genders. Results: The data was collected from 164 patients. In the case group, 46 children were male (53.3%), and 36 children (46.7%) were female. In the control group 44 children were male (43.3%) and 38 children were female (56.7%). The age of all participants was between one months and six years. Conclusion: It is concluded that low serum zinc levels are fairly un-sufficient to support the hypothesis that Zinc deficiency could not be a potential risk factor for febrile seizure in children.

Electroencephalogram Abnormalities and Epilepsy in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Clinical and Electroencephalogram Findings

It has been known for several decades that epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are related to each other. Epilepsy frequently accompanies ASD. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationship between clinical and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings in ASD patients and to identify EEG characteristics that may create a disposition to epilepsy in ASD by examining differences in clinical and EEG findings between patients diagnosed with ASD without epilepsy and ASD with epilepsy. A total of 102 patients aged 2 to 18 years and diagnosed with ASD based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria between January 2017 and June 2019 were included in the study. Patients were assigned into two groups: (1) ASD with epilepsy and (2) ASD without epilepsy. Clinical findings were retrieved from patients' files, and EEG findings from first EEG records in the EEG laboratory at the time of diagnosis. EEG findings were defined as central, parietal, frontal, temporal, or generalized, depending on the location of rhythmic discharges. The incidence of epilepsy in our ASD patients was 33.7% and that of febrile convulsion was 4%. Generalized motor seizures were the most common seizure type. Epileptic discharges most commonly derived from the central and frontal regions. These abnormalities, especially frontal and central rhythmic discharges, may represent a precursor for the development of epilepsy in ASD patients.

Pelatihan Penatalaksanaan Prehospital Henti Janting Dan Anak Demam Dengan Konsep Safe Community Di Kota Lubuklinggau

ABSTRAK Kasus kegawatan medis dapat terjadi dimana dan kapan saja, salah satunya adalah henti jantung dan demam anak. Akan sangat berbahaya kejadian yang terjadi di lingkungan masyarakat yang tidak ada orang yang mampu memberikan pertolongan pertama, ataupun tidak tahu kemana akan mencari pertolongan. Kesalahan memberikan pertolongan bisa membuat pasien menjadi lebih menderita dan meninggalkan kecacatan. Keadaan diatas memerlukan pertolongan yang baik dan segera sebelum pasien dibawa ke rumah sakit untuk perawatan definitif. Permasalahan muncul karena tidak banyak orang awam di yang bisa memberikan pertolongan pertama pada kejadian tersebut dan ketidaktahuan akan sistem pengaduan kasus tersebut. Kegiatan ini dilaksanakan dengan metode demonstrasi dan praktik agar partisipan memiliki pengetahuan dan keterampilan pertolongan pada henti jantung dan demam pada anak. Selain itu butuh pembuatan sebuah sistem sederhana berbasis komunitas sebagai alur awal pertolongan pasien, dengan sistem ini masyarakat mengetahui kemana mereka harus melapor. Semua rangkaian kegiatan tersebut dengan tujuan membentuk sebuah komunitas yang aman yang disebut “Safe Community”. Dari pelaksanaan kedua pelatihan tersebut di atas, terdapat peningkatan pengetahuan dan keterampilan masyarakat dalam memberikan pertolongan henti jantung dan demam anak yaitu sebesar rata-rata 23 poin dalam skala 100. Kata Kunci: Henti Jantung, Kejang Demam, Safe Community ABSTRACT Medical emergency cases can occur anywhere and anytime, one of which is cardiac arrest and childhood fever. It would be very dangerous to happen in a community where no one is able to provide first aid, or does not know where to go for help. Mistakes in providing help can make patients suffer more and leave disabilities. The above conditions require good and immediate assistance before the patient is admitted to the hospital for definitive treatment. The problem arose because there were not many ordinary people who could provide first aid to the incident and they were ignorant of the complaint system for the case. This activity is carried out with demonstration and practical methods so that participants have the knowledge and skills to help with cardiac arrest and fever in children. In addition, it is necessary to create a simple community-based system as the initial flow of patient assistance, with this system the community knows where they have to report. All of these series of activities are aimed at forming a safe community called "Safe Community". From the implementation of the two pieces of training above, there is an increase in the knowledge and skills of the community in providing assistance for cardiac arrest and child fever, which is an average of 23 points on a scale of 100. Keywords: Cardiac Arrest, Febrile Convulsion, Safe Community

Perceived Causes and Diagnosis of Febrile Convulsion in Selected Rural Contexts in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Background: Febrile convulsion (FC) in children under age five is a common childhood condition especially in deprived communities. In 2015, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) attributed about 30% of all under-five mortality cases to FC. Although, the perceived causes and diagnosis of FC are significant in determining treatment approaches, such evidence is limited in the literature. Objective: This study explored the perceived causes and diagnosis of FC in selected rural communities in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological study design underpinned the study at five selected communities located not more than 2 Kilometres from the University of Cape Coast Hospital. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to interview 42 participants made up of 27 parents, two grandmothers, seven registered traditional health practitioners, four herbalists, and two faith healers in the communities. The data was analysed using QSR NVivo 12.Results: Three perceived causes of FC were identified – biological, social/behavioural, and spiritual. Biological causes include genetic abnormalities and other underlying health conditions. The behavioural factors include poor childcare practices and nutrition. Spiritual causes include harm caused by evil spirits. The diagnosis of FC entails pre-attack, attack and post-attack stages. The former is largely associated with high body temperature. The attack stage is often associated with extreme body jerking. Post-attack diagnosis of FC include deafness, dumbness and paralysis.Conclusion: The perceived causes of FC are interplay of complex natural, social and spiritual factors that are deep-rooted in local socio-cultural beliefs and FC experiences. Unlike the attack stage, pre-attack diagnosis were usually missed, or misconstrued to mean other health conditions.

Breastmilk Feeding during the First 4 to 6 Months of Age and Childhood Disease Burden until 10 Years of Age

Background: Breastfeeding is recommended due to its beneficial effects on human health. However, the effect of breastfeeding on health differs, resulting in various childhood diseases. Objective: Our purpose was to investigate the association between breastfeeding at least in the first 4 months and the subsequent development of 15 certainly defined childhood diseases until 10 years of age, the all-cause hospitalization rate and growth at 6–7 years of age. Methods: Participants included propensity-score matched 188,052 children born between January 2008 and December 2009, who were followed up till 10 years of age. Data were taken from the National Investigation of birth Cohort in Korea study 2008 database. Risk ratios were obtained using a modified Poisson regression and weighted risk differences using binomial regression. Results: Compared to formula feeding, breastfeeding was associated with decreased risks of febrile convulsion, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder, pneumonia, acute bronchiolitis, hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, asthma, all-cause hospitalization, overweight/obesity and short stature. Exclusive breastfeeding at 4 to 6 months of age had similar results to exclusive breastfeeding over 6 months of age. Conclusions: Breastfeeding in early infancy reduces the risk for various childhood diseases, all-cause hospitalization rate, obesity, and short stature during childhood.

QT Interval Changes in Children With Febrile Convulsion Comparing With Healthy

A temperature-related seizure is a febrile seizure that affects the QT interval. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in the QT interval caused by febrile convulsion compared with healthy children. Method This case-control study considered the distribution of 180 children equally shared between patients and controls. The study was conducted at the "Ali Ebne Abi Talib" Hospital in Zahedan, Iran. The disease diagnosed and confirmed based on standard definitions of febrile convulsion. QT interval measured by ECG and interpreted by a pediatric cardiologist and collected data were analyzed with SPSS 19 considering 0.05 as significant error. Results Among the ECG parameters, HR, R in aVL, S in V3, LVM, QTd, QTc and QTcd were significantly different in children with febrile convulsion compared to the peers. From those who had abnormal QTd, FC children were more frequented but not significant (CHI SQUARE=1.053, p=0.248), when children with FC were more in abnormality regarding QTc (CHI SQUARE=13.032, p<0.001) and QTcd (CHI SQUARE=21.6, P<0.001) significantly. In children with FC, those who were aged less than 12 months, had the highest level of HR but not significant (CHI SQUARE=4.59, p=0.101). Similar trends occurred for R in aVL and S in V3 that were higher in the age group >24 months (p>0.05). LVM had the highest value in the age group of >24 months significantly (CHI SQUARE= 52.674, P<0.001) and the other QT parameters were same in Fc children with different age groups (P>0.05). Conclusion From the study concluded that dispersion corrected QT, corrected QT and dispersion QT changed significantly in children with febrile convulsion in comparing with the healthy children but with constant values in children with FC in different age groups.

Neuroimaging & Electrophysiological Study in Febrile Convulsion

Background: Febrile convulsions are very common within six months to five years of age. Often there is a family history. Normally we do not do any electrophysiological studies or neuroimaging for febrile convulsion. However, with a change in social structure, we need to revisit the area again and again. Aims and Objectives: To find out any neurophysiological abnormalities and neuroimaging and its relevance in febrile convulsion. Material and Method: Fifity three children with febrile convulsion were studied in our 550 bedded hospital and post-graduate medical college in the pediatric ward between 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020. We did neuroimaging during admission after stabilizing the patient. EEG was done two weeks later after the febrile convulsion.