INTRODUCTIONFebrile seizure (FS) is the most common paediatric neurological problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of afebrile seizures subsequent to FS in children with initial FS and to evaluate its risk factors.

METHODSA prospective study was conducted on all children (age 6 months to 6 years) referred with initial FS to the Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran, between August 2004 and March 2006, who were followed up for at least 15 months for the occurrence of subsequent afebrile seizures.

RESULTS161 boys and 120 girls (mean age 2.12 ± 1.33 years) were followed up for 34.1 ± 7.8 months. 87 (31%) patients had complex FS and 19 (6.7%) patients had subsequent afebrile seizure, with a mean occurrence time of 10.6 ± 6.4 months. Univariate analysis using chi-square test showed that initial FS within one hour of developing fever (p = 0.0001), neurodevelopmental delay (p = 0.0001), family history of epilepsy (p = 0.0001), recurrent FS (p = 0.003) and focal FS (p = 0.04) were risk factors for subsequent afebrile seizure. On multivariate analysis, neurodevelopmental delay (odds ratio [OR] 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3-3.4), initial FS within one hour of developing fever (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.1) and family history of epilepsy (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-1.9) were significant factors.

CONCLUSIONSpecial attention should be paid to children with FS during history-taking and developmental assessments to identify high-risk patients and those who might need prophylactic anticonvulsants.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Seizures ; epidemiology ; Seizures, Febrile ; epidemiology

INTRODUCTIONAt present, about 1% of newborns are delivered through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the growth parameters of children born in assisted and natural conception at 5 years of age.

MATERIALS AND METHODSIn a cross-sectional case control study, weight, height and head circumference of 5-year old children were assessed. The case group consisted of term, singleton babies who were products of ART in the Center for Infertility of Shahid Sadoughi University, Yazd, Iran in 2005. The control group consisted of term, fi rst child, singleton and spontaneously conceived 5-year-old children who were referred for vaccination to primary health care center of Shahid Akbari in 2010.

RESULTSFifty-eight girls (47.5%) and 64 boys (52.5%) "with equal numbers in each of the 2 groups" were evaluated. Sex distribution, mean ages of fathers and mothers were not statistically significant different in both groups. Children born after ART tend to have lower birth weight, smaller birth head circumference and lower weight at 5 years of age. Having low birth weight (<2500 g), being underweight and having short stature at the age of 5 were more common in babies born through ART.

CONCLUSIONGrowth retardation is more prevalent in babies born through ART. Thus, growth assessment, parents' knowledge about child physical development, and timely and accurate follow-up of these children are necessary for early detection of any growth disorders.

Body Height ; Body Weight ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Growth Charts ; Growth Disorders ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Head ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Male ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; adverse effects