[Dynamic change of hippocampal volume in children with recurrent febrile seizures].

Objective: To study the change and significance of hippocampal volume (HCV) in children with recurrent febrile seizures.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data and examination results of 34 children with recurrent febrile seizures who underwent two magnetic resonance plain scans of the head and the hippocampus from January 1, 2013 to September 30, 2019. According to the follow-up time, they were divided into the first follow-up group and the second follow-up group. According to prognosis, they were divided into a febrile seizure group, a non-febrile group and an epilepsy group. The change in HCV was analyzed and compared.

Results: Total HCV was positively correlated with age (=0.683, < 0.05). The second follow-up group had a significantly larger total HCV than the first follow-up group ( < 0.05). For both groups, preschool children (≥ 3 years old) had significantly larger total HCV, left HCV, and right HCV than those at an age of < 3 years ( < 0.05). For both groups, the children with persistent seizures had significantly lower average annual increment (ΔV) of total HCV, left HCV, and right HCV than those without persistent seizures ( < 0.05). There was no significant difference in ΔV of total HCV, left HCV, and right HCV among the febrile seizure, non-febrile seizure and epilepsy groups ( > 0.05).

Conclusions: HCV gradually increases with age in children with recurrent febrile seizures. Persistent seizures may damage the development of the hippocampus.