Circadian Rhythm and the Seasonal Variation in Childhood Febrile Seizure

Objective

We aimed to assess the circadian rhythm and the seasonal variation in childhood febrile seizure (FS).

Materials & Methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted retrospectively on patients’ records. Investigators assessed the records of patients with simple FS aged 6 to 60 months referred to Emergency Department of 17-Shahrivar Hospital, Rasht northern Iran during Jan 2010 to Jan 2013. Data were gathered by a checklist including age, sex, temperature, duration of seizure, seasonal, months, diurnal variation, and level of consciousness.

Results

Totally, 349 patients including 193 (55.3%) boys and 156 (44.7%) girls with the mean age of 22.85±18.34 months were enrolled in this study. The mean temperature of patients was 38.45±0.53°C. The mean duration of seizure was 97.91±57 sec. Awake, drowsy and slept patients were noted in 170 (48.7%), 33 (9.5%) and 146 (41.8%) cases, respectively. Most of the FS occurred in winter 118 (33.8%), afternoon 132 (37.8%) and in Jan 55 (15.8%).

Conclusion

Body temperature adjusted by hypothalamus affecting by circadian rhythm. FS is the most common form of seizure in childhood occurred by multifactorial issues. Otherwise, the occurrence of seizure in patients with epilepsy may be affected by the circadian rhythm. Seizures happen more frequent at a specific time in 24 h during a day.