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Epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy
A K Gururaj1, L Sztriha, A Bener
1Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, UAE University, PO Box 17666, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. gururaja@uaeu.ac.ae
Seizure
|February 5, 2003
Summary
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have a higher risk of developing seizures, often starting in the neonatal period. These seizures are frequently refractory, requiring prolonged treatment and indicating underlying brain abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Epileptology
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Seizures are a frequent comorbidity in children with CP.
- Understanding the characteristics and prognosis of seizures in CP is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and associated factors of seizures in children with cerebral palsy.
- To describe the nature and prognosis of seizures in this population.
- To compare seizure characteristics in children with CP to control groups.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, descriptive, hospital-based, case-control study was conducted.
- Fifty-six children with CP and seizures were compared to two control groups: children with CP without seizures and children with seizures but no CP.
- Data were collected from neurodevelopmental clinics at tertiary level University Teaching Hospitals.
Main Results:
- Spastic tetraplegia was the most common CP type associated with seizures.
- Children with CP and seizures had a higher incidence of neonatal seizures, developmental delay, and brain imaging abnormalities.
- Seizures in children with CP often had an early onset, were refractory, and required polytherapy and prolonged anticonvulsant treatment.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral palsy is significantly associated with a higher incidence of seizure disorders.
- Seizures in children with CP typically manifest in the neonatal period.
- Abnormal brain pathology in children with CP likely contributes to the higher prevalence of refractory seizures.