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Overview of Febrile Seizures in Iranian Children and Related Factors: A 30-Year Review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
1 Department of MDepartment of Pediatrics, Zabol University of Mediacl Sciences, Zabol, Iran.edical Education
2 Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Research Development Center of Children's Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Science, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
3 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad , Iran.
4 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Amir al Momenin Hospital, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
Abstract
Background: Febrile seizures (FS) are a common neurological disorder in children. This study aims to review the epidemiological and clinical characteristics associated with FS in Iranian children. 
Materials and Methods: In this overview, a search for systematic reviews, reviews, or recent research was conducted across online databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, up to October 2023. Two reviewers assessed the quality of eligible studies and managed the selection process.
Results: Febrile seizures are a prevalent condition among children, particularly those under five years old globally, affecting 2-5% of this age group. In Iran, studies indicate a moderate prevalence, with specific findings from Zahedan reporting a rate of 3.5% among children. Notably, the incidence of FS among Iranian children experiencing convulsions overall is as high as 47.9%. The age group most affected by FS in Iran is children aged 6 months to 5 years, with a peak incidence observed between 12 and 18 months. The overall recurrence rate of FS is 20.9% (95% CI: 12.3-29.5), with the majority classified as simple febrile seizures (69.3%), while complex febrile seizures account for about 25.3%. The main causes of FS in Iranian children include infectious causes (such as upper respiratory infections and shigellosis), non-infectious factors (including family history), demographic factors (age and gender), and other influences (such as fertility treatments and environmental factors).
Conclusion: The prevalence of febrile seizures among Iranian children remains significant, although recent studies suggest a decline compared to earlier decades. This variation in the prevalence of FS highlights the need for targeted public health strategies and further research to understand their causes and effects on pediatric healthcare.
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