Convulsions associated with shigellosis in children

Seizures are the most common extraintestinal manifestation of shigellosis. Predisposing or associated features include young age, family or personal history of seizure disorder, elevated temperature, hyponatremia and increased band cells in the leukocyte count. There is usually a prompt response to antibiotic therapy, with no residual neurologic deficits from the convulsions. Shigellosis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of a young child with an isolated generalized seizure and associated gastrointestinal illness.