Background : Febrile convulsion is a common problem that leads to a large number of hospitalizations. The present study was conducted to determine the risk factors for febrile convulsion in infants hospitalized in Shahid Beheshti hospital in Kshan in 2001.

Materials and Methods : For this case-control study 180 children were selected. Children were distributed in two groups of febrile convulsion (60 children) and febrile children without convulsion (120 children), then risk factors were studied between the groups. Initial data including age, sex, familial history of febrile convulsion, epilepsy, developmental delay, and prenatal problems were all collected and analyzed using Fisher's exact test.

Results : The study population included 108 (60%) boys and 72 (40%) girls, aged between 6 months and 5 years. Febrile convulsion was more frequent among children under 3 years old (78%) and boys (60%) as well. The most common risk factors were familial history of febrile convulsion (55%), prenatal problems (28%), familial history of epilepsy (10%), and developmental delay (5%).

Conclusion : Children aged less than 3 years are at high risk to develop convulsion during their upper respiratory tract viral infection in case of a positive familial history of febrile convulsion. Thus, prophylaxis with diazepam is highly recommended in case of fever of ≥38 ْ C. Familial history of febrile convulsion, prenatal problems, familial history of epilepsy, and developmental delay are associated with greater risk of febrile convulsion.