Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical features of benign infantile convulsions associated with mild gastroenteritis (BICE) and provide helpful information for the accurate diagnosis and effective management of BICE. METHODS: The patients, aged 3-36 months, with gastroenteritis accompanied with convulsions were clinically observed and followed up for more than 18 months. RESULTS: BICE was diagnosed in 12 cases with a peak onset age of (16.0 ± 6.5) months. Six (50%) of the cases occurred in winter. All seizures developed within the first 5 days of the course and 9 (75%) within the first 3 days. The cases presented with generalized or partial seizures. Early clustering seizure attacks were seen in 7 patients (58%). Seizures averaged 2.1 attacks per course. Interictal electroencephalogram (EEG), brain imaging, blood biochemical profile and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing did not show abnormality in all cases. No antiepileptic medications were prescribed to the patients as the seizures had stopped. Three (25%) of the cases experienced relapses that usually did not happen more than twice. The longest course of BICE lasted 8 months. All cases demonstrated normal psychomotor development and had no individual or family history of febrile convulsion or epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: In this study BICE showed the following clinical features: It occurred at a peak age of 1 to 2 years old and was frequently seen in wintertime. The convulsions usually developed in early days of the course in generalized or partial and mostly in clustering patterns. There were no significant changes in blood biochemical profile, CSF, brain imaging and interictal EEG. The course usually lasted less than 12 months although a small portion of the patients relapsed. An anti-epileptic therapy may not be necessary after seizure cessation in children with BICE.
