Some Aspects of the Genetics of Febrile Convulsions.

Abstract

Summary: A prospective study of the inheri tance pattern of febrile convulsions was carried out among the families of 70 children who presented with the condition at the Children's Emergency Unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, over a period of 12 months. A retrospective study involving the families of 87 others seen over a period of 2 years was also carried out. Although no clear-cut pattern emerged, it was felt that, on the basis of the available data, an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance was the most plausible. The following conclusions and projections about febrile convulsions in Benin City were also made: (a) febrile convulsions constitute approximately 5.8% of all paediatric emergency  room admissions in Benin-City. (6) one-eighth of parents of patients with febrile convulsions would have had the condition themselves; (c) 50% of the full siblings of affected children stand the risk of developing febrile convulsions, if their mothers also had them and (d) a third of all patients with febrile convulsions will have at least, one recurrence in 5 years.