فراوانی علل تشنج در کودکان بستری بیمارستان تخصصی اطفال زاهدان

  Background and Aim: Convulsion in infants with the prevalence of 4 to 6 cases in 1000 is the most common neurological disorder in pediatrics. The reason for this study was the rather high prevalence of convulsion, its psychosocial and cognitive importance, and determining the underlying factors of the disorder in infants.   Materials and Methods: In this descriptive- analytical study, 178 hospitalized infants suffering from convulsion were selected through purpose- based sampling. Data gathering was done by means of a three-section questionnaire which included personal characteristics, convulsion seizure, and diagnostic procedures performed .Then, the obtained data was analysed employing SPSS software, using chi-square, and correlation coefficient statistical tests at the significant level P≤0.05.   Results: Out of 178 infants studied, 57.2% were males and 42.8% females. 86.7% had been born naturally and 13.3% through cesarean section. Mean hospitalized time was 5.63 days, €mean child age was 3.05 years, birth weight was 2838.92gr, and mean convulsion time was 7.85 minutes. Frequency of convulsion in 44.4% of the children was 3 times a day and 20.2% of them had a positive familial history 48.6% of the patients had febrile convulsion, 28.1% epilepsy, 5.6% infection, 9.6% static encephalopathy , and 7.9% revealed other factors of convulsion. There was not a significant relationship between either sex , delivery type, or birth weight to convulsion but the relationship to age at the onset of convulsion, its period and frequency was significant (P=0.00). Underlying factors of convulsion were fever, upper respiratory infection (40%), gastroenteritis (3.4%), urinary infection (4%), pneumonia (12%), otitis (5%), septicemia (3.6%), and unidentified fever (5%).   Conclusion: Although convulsion is a benign disorder in most cases, the frequency of those convulsions which require investigation and special treatment planning is of such level that complete description, careful examining and paraclinical assessment planning should be performed for each infant because diagnostic assessment influences treatment, family counseling, necessity of hospitalization, and particular follow-up of these patients. Presenting accurate reports of convulsion attacks will help the nurse to identify underlying and intensifying factors, reduce or prevent their frequency and decrease potential complications.