Prevalencia de infecciones de vías respiratorias como factor desencadenante de convulsiones febriles en pacientes pediátricos menores de 5 años en el Hospital Monte Sinaí durante el periodo 2021-2023.

Abstract

Introduction: Febrile seizures are so named because they are associated with a febrile illness, in the absence of an infectious focus at the central nervous system level, or some electrolyte imbalance that justifies them. Objectives: To determine patients with respiratory infections who present febrile seizures in children under 5 years of age at Monte Sinai Hospital during the period 2021-2023. Materials and Methods: This study is part of a retrospective observational study. An analysis was performed on the medical records of patients under 5 years of age with respiratory tract infections who were treated at General Hospital Monte Sinai during the period from 2021 to 2023. The approach was descriptive, with the aim of determining the prevalence of febrile seizures in the aforementioned population. Results: Of the 351 patients studied, 28.8% presented febrile seizures, while 71.2% did not experience them. This finding suggests that febrile seizure can be a significant complication in a subset of patients with respiratory infections. Discussion: Of the 351 patients studied, who presented with a respiratory infection, 28.8% had febrile seizures. Although it was not an expected value according to our study, the literature supports that the main cause is viral infections, which obviously will manifest as a respiratory illness in the child accompanied by a febrile episode. Studies such as those by Ji Yoon Han (21) and Maria Hautala (19) support that respiratory viruses are the causes of febrile seizures. Therefore, we can theoretically justify that respiratory tract infections are the most common causative agents when producing febrile seizures. Conclusions: Febrile seizures are probable complications in patients with respiratory tract infections, and the prevalence of febrile seizures is more common in lower respiratory tract infections. High levels of PCR indicate that it is a useful indicator of systemic inflammation in the context of febrile seizures. Febrile seizures are more common at 2 years of age and in girls.