Background Review of drug treatment provides an opportunity to improve medication use in any treatment centre. The study determined the prevalence of convulsive disorders seen in the Children's Emergency Centre of Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. It reviewed drug treatment, investigating the rate of adverse drug reaction (ADR) documentation and patient/parent/care giver education during treatment of febrile convulsions.

Methods A review of medication records of children who were treated for all convulsive disorders between January 2004 and December 2006 was carried out. 60 cases of febrile convulsions were studied and data analysed using EPI Info version 2002.

Results A period prevalence of 14 per thousand children was obtained between 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2005. Infections caused 93.1% of febrile convulsions and neurological examination was normal for 78.9% of affected children. The most commonly used drugs were antimalarials in 55 patients (91.7%), anti-infective in 28 (46.7%), and antipyretics in 24 (40.0%). ADRs were not documented for 94.7% of patients and patient/parent/care giver education was not done or done but not recorded in 96.6% of cases.

Conclusion Prevalence rate will be useful in planning for improved facilities. ADR documentation and reporting, as well as patient/parent/care giver enlightenment need to be done for each patient treated in the centre.