Abstract
BACKGROUND: Febrile seizures are a benign condition with unexplained pathophysiology. Respiratory alkalosis due to increased temperature can cause cerebral alkalosis and seizures. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to assess the association of hypocapnia and respiratory alkalosis with the time of presentation after febrile seizures. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional observational study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 51 children admitted to SRM Medical College Hospital over a period of one year (September 2020-September 2021) were included in the study. INTERVENTION: Venous blood gas was measured at admission. The presence of hypocapnia and respiratory alkalosis were analyzed along with the time of admission from the onset of seizures. RESULTS: When comparing temperature values with pH values as a linear regression, there was a positive correlation (r = 0.39, P = 0.005). Children who presented earlier were more likely to have respiratory alkalosis compared to those who presented late (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Febrile seizures could be associated with blood pH changes, making way for newer therapeutic approaches and the need for subsequent clinical trials.