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A comparison survey of seizures and other symptoms of Pokemon phenomenon
Junichi Furusho1, Masakazu Suzuki, Izumi Tazaki
1Department of Pediatrics, Showa University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Neurologic problems, including seizures, occurred in some children watching the animated series Pokemon. Viewing conditions like close proximity and dim lighting were associated with affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- On December 16, 1997, a significant number of Japanese children experienced neurological symptoms during an episode of the animated series Pokemon.
- This event prompted an investigation into the potential link between media consumption and adverse neurological events in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of neurological symptoms experienced by children after watching the Pokemon animation.
- To identify risk factors and viewing conditions associated with these adverse events.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based study was conducted with 1,373 children visiting pediatric outpatient clinics.
- Participants completed questionnaires regarding their viewing habits and any experienced symptoms after watching Pokemon.
Main Results:
- 6.1% of children (67 out of 1,373) reported adverse effects, including 10 cases of seizures (0.9%).
- Affected children were more likely to concentrate intensely, watch at close range, and view in dimly lit rooms.
- Seizures were more common in older children and those with a family history of seizures.
Conclusions:
- Certain viewing conditions, such as close viewing distances and low light, are associated with an increased risk of neurological symptoms in children.
- Autonomic and psychologic factors may play a role in non-seizure symptoms, suggesting a need for awareness of viewing environments.
Abstract:
On 16 December 1997, many Japanese children developed neurologic problems while watching the animated television series Pokemon. This study included children who visited the outpatient departments of 14 pediatric clinics for other reasons within 2 months after this incident. Volunteering children and parents or guardians were asked to complete questionnaires. We obtained 1,373 replies (including 800 males, 558 females, and 15 children without information on sex; mean age, 6.8 +/- 3.5 years). The majority of children included in this study (80%) watched this program, and 67 (6.1%; 40 males, 27 females) were affected by the program. There were 10 patients with seizures (0.9%; four males and six females). Fifty-seven patients developed other symptoms. Compared with nonaffected children, significantly more affected children reported that they concentrated on watching this program, watched it at a short distance from the screen, and did not watch this program in a brightly lit room. Seizures tended to occur in older children (average = 10.8 years) and in children with a high rate of familial histories of seizures. Symptoms other than seizures occurred more frequently, and autonomic and psychologic factors, such as motion sickness, could be considered possible mechanisms. Children who developed symptoms seemed to have problems in viewing conditions.
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