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Psychogenic seizures after head injury in children
1Section of Neurology, Columbus Children's Hospital, OH 43205, USA. apakalnis@chi.osu.edu
Journal of Child Neurology
|March 1, 2000
Summary
Psychogenic seizures are common in children, particularly boys. Head injuries may be a significant risk factor for developing these seizures in both children and adults.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Psychogenic seizures are non-epileptic events that mimic epileptic seizures.
- Previous research has primarily focused on adult populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of psychogenic seizures in a pediatric population.
- To identify potential risk factors for psychogenic seizures in children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 148 patients with probable seizure disorder.
- Long-term video electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring over a 1-year period.
Main Results:
- 16% of patients were diagnosed with psychogenic seizures.
- Psychogenic seizures were more common in boys (69%) with a mean age of 10.5 years.
- A history of head injury was present in 44% of patients with psychogenic seizures, and 85% of these were boys.
Conclusions:
- Psychogenic seizures are frequently observed in children, especially boys.
- Antecedent head injury appears to be a notable risk factor for psychogenic seizures in children, similar to adults.
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