Convulsions

Summary and conclusions

• 1. One hundred consecutive cases of convulsions admitted to the Pediatric Department of the M.G.M. Medical College, Indore, have been studied.

• 2. A detailed history was taken and a complete physical examination carried out in each case.

• 3. Besides routine examinations of blood, urine, stool and C.S.F., estimations of blood urea, blood sugar and serum calcium were done in all the cases. Pyridoxine saturation studies were undertaken in thirty cases with ten controls.

• 4. The etiological aspects of convulsions with reference to age and other factors have been discussed.

• 5. Fifty per cent of the cases with convulsions were between 6 months and 3 years, while in eighteen per cent seizures were observed in the first 6 months of life. In the age group 3 to 12 years, however, only twenty-four per cent of the cases were affected.

• 6. Whereas febrile convulsions, hypocalcaemia, purulent meningitis, pyridoxine deficiency and birth injuries were the main causes of seizures in order of frequency below the age of 6 months, the etiological factors in the age period 6 months and 3 years in the similar order were febrile convulsions, tuberculous meningitis, encephalitis, hypocalcaemia, mental deficiency and pyridoxine deficiency. Epilepsy was the only major factor responsible for seizures during the age period 3 to 12 years.

• 7. Pyridoxine deficiency as a cause of convulsions was detected in three cases, and all of them responded to the administration of pyridoxine without recurrence of convulsions.