[Benign convulsions with mild rotavirus gastroenteritis].

BACKGROUND

Benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis (CwG) are a rare diagnosis in Western countries, and it is characterized by afebrile seizures, almost times more than once, during a gastroenteritis without severe hydroelectrolitic affection. The most frequent implied virus is rotavirus. This is a benign disease, in spite of cluster seizures, and neither complementary explorations nor antiepileptic treatment is required.

METHODS

Seven cases between 6 and 27 months aged of CwG due to rotavirus are reported.

RESULTS

Four patients had more than one seizure, and all convulsions were generalized hypermotor type. Rotavirus gastroenteritis was mild in all cases; only one patient was admitted for hospitalization before seizures appearance. There were no findings in all cases with lumbar punction or brain neuroimaging. Electroencephalogram was normal in all cases, except in one patient who showed frontal acute waves, which disappeared in a later examination. No patients have shown seizure recurrence or development delay.

CONCLUSIONS

CwG due to rotavirus are possibly infradiagnosed, and perhaps classified as atypical febrile seizures, febrile status or early infancy benign partial epilepsy. This benign diagnosis should be considered for a correct management and prognosis.