Acute gastroenteritis-related encephalopathy

J Child Neurol. 2001 Dec;16(12):906-10. doi: 10.1177/088307380101601208.

Abstract

We studied the incidence of convulsions in 1936 children with acute gastroenteritis. Sixty-eight children had convulsions (3.5%), which were categorized into three groups: (1) bacterial (n = 13; 19%), (2) Rotavirus (n = 30, 44%), and (3) no organism (n = 25; 37%). Only group 2 versus group 3 had a significant association with encephalopathy (P < .002). The relative risk was estimated to determine the risk of encephalopathy: Rotavirus versus no organism isolated (relative risk = 2.308), Rotavirus versus bacterial (relative risk = 1.846), and bacterial versus no organism (relative risk = 1.25). None developed epilepsy. Thus, acute gastroenteritis-related encephalopathy is a benign condition with single or recurrent seizures during an episode of acute gastroenteritis and an excellent prognosis. The underlying mechanism for provoking seizure is unknown. One should be reassured of a good outcome in the majority of children with recurrent episodes of afebrile/febrile seizures during an episode of acute gastroenteritis.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Gastroenteritis / complications*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk
  • Seizures / complications*