title: Clinical features of benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis in Chinese infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benign convulsions occur in infants during the course of mild gastroenteritis. It is now recognized as a distinct clinical entity in many countries. However, its occurrence in China has not yet been widely recognized by Chinese pediatricians.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was conducted in 48 patients with convulsions between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age of onset of gastroenteritis was between 13 months and 24 months in 34 patients (70.83%). The episodes occurred at a distinct autumn/winter peak (75%). The seizures mostly occurred within the first 5 days of gastroenteritis, especially within the first 3 days, peaking on day 2 (39.58%). Thirty-five patients (72.92%) had clustered seizures in their episodes. Most episodes were symmetric, generalized tonic-clonic (83.33%) and brief (93.75%). The seizures were induced by pain and/or crying in 19 (39.58%) patients. Stool culture was positive for rotavirus in 21 (53.85%) of the 39 patients. Twenty patients (20/41, 48.78%) still had clustered seizures after the administration of a single anticonvulsant. The seizures persisted even after the administration of two combined anticonvulsants in 5 (26.32%) of 19 episodes. All patients exhibited normal psychomotor development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis are not rare in China, and rotavirus infection is a major cause.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China. wangyf252@126.com
authors.forename: Yun-Feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhong-Shu
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index