Epidemiological, clinical, etiological and evolutionary profile of acute convulsions in children from 02 to 59 months admitted to a hospital in Bamako

Abstract

Introduction: Seizures are the most common pediatric neurological disorder. The objective of this work was to describe the socio-demographic, clinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary aspects. Methodology: This was a cross- sectional study carried out in the general pediatrics department of CHU-Gabriel Touré. It took place over a period of 02 years from January 2017 to December 2018. We included all children aged 1 to 59 months hospitalized in the ward for convulsion. Results: convulsions represented 11% of hospitalizations. The average age was 29 +/- 17 months. Fever was present in 86% of patients. Lumbar puncture was performed in 65% of patients. It had revealed cloudy cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 2% of patients. The leukocyte level in the CSF was abnormally high in 20% of the patients. Hypoglycemia was present in 14 patients. Serum calcium was low in 3 patients. The main aetiologies were malaria 70%, meningitis 20%, and dehydration 13%. Conclusion: acute convulsions are emergencies that require early and appropriate management. The aetiologies are dominated by malaria and meningitis.