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COVID-19

COVID-19 Associated with Higher Frequency of Seizures in Pediatric Patients

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research published in the Clinical Pediatrics journal revealed that COVID-19 is linked to a higher frequency of seizures in pediatric patients compared to influenza A. According to the study, approximately 83 (14.4%) patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and 68 (7.3%) patients diagnosed with influenza A experienced seizures. The study, conducted by researchers at Jeonbuk National University, also found that the frequency of seizures caused by COVID-19 increased significantly from 2022 onward.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from patients under 18 years of age diagnosed with either COVID-19 or influenza A infections in a hospital setting.
  • Approximately 83 (14.4%) patients with COVID-19 and 68 (7.3%) patients with influenza A experienced seizures.
  • Among the patients with seizures, 10 exhibited afebrile seizures, and 65 (11.6%) exhibited seizures with fever (SWF) caused by COVID-19.
  • In contrast, all 69 patients with influenza A-induced seizures exhibited SWF.
  • The frequency of SWF caused by COVID-19 increased significantly from 2022 onward.
  • The study concluded that COVID-19 is associated with a higher frequency of SWF than influenza A and can also induce afebrile seizures.
  • The research was supported by the Fund of Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital.

Statistics:

  • 83 (14.4%) patients with COVID-19 experienced seizures.
  • 68 (7.3%) patients with influenza A experienced seizures.
  • 65 (11.6%) patients with COVID-19 exhibited seizures with fever (SWF).
  • 69 patients with influenza A-induced seizures exhibited seizures with fever (SWF).
  • 10 patients with COVID-19 exhibited afebrile seizures.
  • 23.1% of children with SWF caused by COVID-19 were aged above 5 years.
  • 42.2% of children with SWF caused by influenza A were aged above 5 years.

Sources:

  • Seizure In Pediatric Patients With Sars-cov-2 or Influenza a Infections and Fever. Clinical Pediatrics, 2025.
  • Pediatrics Week. August 23, 2025; p 246.
  • Fund of Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital
  • Jeonbuk National University Medicine School, Dept. of Pediatrics.

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