Leukocyte count and C reactive protein as diagnostic factors in febrile convulsion
Background : Febrile convulsion (FC) is the most common seizure disorder in childhood. White blood cell (WBC) and C reactive protein (CRP) are commonly measured in FC. Add a paragraph on Aims and Objectives of the study. Aims and Objectives: To compare WBC and CRP in febrile children, aged 6 months to five years, with and without FC, in order to determine whether leukocytosis and elevated CRP can be used as diagnostic tool for febrile seizure. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study 214 children (112 with FC), aged 6 months to 5 years, admitted to in the first 48 hours of their febrile disease, either with or without seizure, were evaluated over a 12 months period. Age, sex, temperature; WBC, CRP and hemoglobin were recorded in all children. There was a significant increase of WBC (P<0.001) in children with FC so we can deduct that leukocytosis encountered in children with FC can be due to convulsion in itself. Results : When comparing FC and non-FC children, we encountered a significant increase of WBC (P =0.0005) in children with FC, measured at the time of admission to pediatric medicine ward. There was no significant difference regarding CRP between the two groups. In fact, elevated CRP is a result of underlying pathology. Conclusion: In stable patients, if there’s no reason to suspect a bacterial infection or who don’t have any indication of lumbar puncture, there’s no need to assess WBC as an indicator of underlying infection. Any child with febrile seizure with a high CRP value should be evaluated for infection.