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Epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy
I Bruck1, S A Antoniuk, A Spessatto
1Center of Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Department, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Parana.
Insights
Epilepsy affects 62% of cerebral palsy patients, particularly those with hemiplegic and tetraplegic forms. Early seizures and family history predict epilepsy in cerebral palsy (CP) patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Epileptology
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Epilepsy frequently co-occurs with CP, impacting patient outcomes.
- Understanding epilepsy prevalence in CP is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and characteristics of epilepsy in patients with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To identify factors associated with epilepsy development in CP.
- To correlate epilepsy incidence with CP subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 100 consecutive CP patients with ≥2 years follow-up.
- Analysis of epilepsy types, incidence, and associated factors (age of first seizure, neonatal seizures, family history).
- Correlation of epilepsy with different CP forms (hemiplegic, tetraplegic).
Main Results:
- Overall epilepsy prevalence was 62% in the CP cohort.
- Higher incidence observed in hemiplegic (70.6%) and tetraplegic (66.1%) CP.
- Seizures typically began in the first year of life (74.2%); generalized and partial seizures were most common.
- Neonatal seizures and family history of epilepsy were linked to increased epilepsy incidence.
Conclusions:
- Epilepsy in cerebral palsy (CP) is highly prevalent.
- Early-onset seizures (neonatal period, first year of life) and family history are significant predictors.
- Identifying these risk factors aids in predicting and managing epilepsy in CP patients.
Objective:
To describe the prevalence and characteristics of epilepsy in patients with cerebral palsy in a tertiary center.
Methods:
a total of 100 consecutive patients with cerebral palsy were retrospectively studied. Criteria for inclusion were follow-up period for at least 2 years. Types and incidence of epilepsy were correlated with the different forms of cerebral palsy. Other factors associated with epilepsy such as age of first seizure, neonatal seizures and family history of epilepsy were also analysed.
Results:
follow-up ranged between 24 and 151 months (mean 57 months). The overall prevalence of epilepsy was 62%. Incidence of epilepsy was predominant in patients with hemiplegic and tetraplegic palsies: 70.6% and 66.1%, respectively. First seizure occurred during the first year of life in 74.2% of patients with epilepsy. Generalized and partial were the predominant types of epilepsy (61.3% and 27.4%, respectively). Thirty-three (53.2%) of 62 patients were seizure free for at least 1 year. Neonatal seizures and family history of epilepsy were associated with a higher incidence of epilepsy.
Conclusions:
epilepsy in cerebral palsy can be predicted if seizures occur in the first year of life, in neonatal period and if there is family history of epilepsy.