Abstract

Background: A febrile seizure is the most common type of convulsive disorders in children younger than the age of 5, it occurs in 2%-5% of them, and it is one of the most prevalent causes of emergency hospital admissions in children. The present study aims to understand the general demographics of patients presenting with febrile seizures among pediatrics in the maternity and children’s hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and to assess the parent’s attitude when managing children with a febrile seizure.
Methodology: This study is a cross-sectional study concerned with children presenting with seizures and fever at the pediatric emergency department in the maternity and children’s hospital of Makkah city from May to July 2019. Patients’ parents participated in this study. A validated questionnaire was used for the collection of patients’ data. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 10. Summarization of the data was presented using tables and graphs.
Results: A total of 71 children patients were included in this study. 70.4% (50) of them were male, while 29.6% (21) were female. 81.7% of the children patients between 6 months and 3-year old. 78.3% had typical convulsions, while the reaming 21.7% had atypical ones. Moreover, 76.9% (20) of the patients’ parents know their children’s diagnosis. Most children, 67.85% (19), were diagnosed with febrile seizures. 42.85% (12) of the participants thought that febrile seizure did not cause epilepsy.
Conclusion: The overall attitudes of parents regarding febrile seizures need to be improved; this action will require a well-organized educational program for febrile seizures.

Key words: Febrile seizure, attitudes, parents, Makkah