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Pediatric convulsive status epilepticus in Honduras, Central America

Marco R Molinero1, Kenton R Holden, Luis C Rodriguez

  • 1Hospital Escuela Materno-Infantil, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Epilepsia
|August 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Childhood convulsive status epilepticus (SE) is a significant public health issue in Honduras. Rural children with acute symptomatic SE faced higher mortality and new neurologic issues, highlighting the need for prompt treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Convulsive status epilepticus (SE) in children presents a substantial public health challenge, especially in resource-limited nations.
  • Understanding the epidemiology and outcomes of pediatric SE is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of convulsive SE in children presenting to a major emergency department in Honduras.
  • To identify risk factors for mortality and morbidity associated with pediatric SE in a low-resource setting.

Main Methods:

  • A 13-week surveillance study conducted in 2003 at the Hospital Escuela Materno-Infantil Emergency Department in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
  • Consecutive enrollment of all children presenting with convulsive SE.
  • Data collection included patient demographics, seizure duration, location, etiology, and clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

  • A total of 47 children with SE were enrolled, with a mean age of 4.5 years and a median seizure duration of 95 minutes.
  • Mortality and morbidity were significantly higher in children from rural areas.
  • All six reported deaths and three new neurologic abnormalities occurred in rural children with acute symptomatic SE.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood SE is a prevalent condition in Honduras, a low-resource developing country.
  • Long delays in accessing emergency care underscore the critical importance of prehospital treatment for pediatric SE.
  • Targeted interventions for rural populations and improved prehospital care are essential to reduce SE-related mortality and morbidity.

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