[Renal failure as a factor leading to epileptic seizures]

To analyze the incidence of convulsive seizures in renal failure by studying the semiological characteristics of the convulsive episodes, their subsequent evolution and the presence of possible sequelae. The relationship between the different potential causes of the seizures and their evolution and treatment was also analyzed.

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical histories of 108 patients admitted to the hospital over a 20-year period with a diagnosis of renal failure: 55 were undergoing predialysis, 42 renal transplantation, 7 peritoneal dialysis and 3 hemodialysis. One patient was excluded for not fulfilling the selection criteria. Computer study of the 18 quantitative and qualitative variables was carried out with the SPSS 9.0.1 program.

Of the 107 patients, 16 (14.95 %) had suffered some type of convulsive seizure. None was in the predialysis group. As triggering factors, hydroelectrolyte imbalance was found in eight patients and hypertension was found in four. In the remaining patients the causes were not well-defined. Only three patients with epilepsy prior to renal failure presented sequelae.

Epileptic seizures in renal failure in childhood can be considered as occasional seizures that do not usually become chronic or produce sequelae. Information on the management of seizures in renal failure should be disseminated among professionals treating systemic diseases.