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Anthropometric Indices in Children With Refractory Epilepsy
Vahid Aminzadeh1, Setila Dalili2, Yalda Ashoorian3
1Pediatric Growth Disorders Research Center, 17 Th Shahrivar Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran ; Department of Pediatrics Neurology, 17th Shahrivar Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Insights
Body mass index (BMI) and birth weight are key predictors of refractory epilepsy in children. Lower onset time correlates with reduced refractory epilepsy frequency. Further research into leptin
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epileptology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Refractory epilepsy poses significant challenges in pediatric care.
- The role of body mass index (BMI) and lipoid tissue factors in epilepsy is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of developing refractory epilepsy in children.
- To explore the influence of anthropometric indices on epilepsy characteristics.
Main Methods:
- A matched case-control study involving children with refractory epilepsy and healthy controls.
- Data collection included demographic, clinical, and anthropometric measurements (transformed into Z-scores).
- Statistical analysis employed Pearson correlation, paired t-test, and multivariate regression (backward LR).
Main Results:
- No significant sex differences in anthropometric indices were observed.
- Z-weight and birth weight emerged as significant predictors of refractory epilepsy.
- Lower epilepsy onset time was associated with a lower frequency of refractory epilepsy.
Conclusions:
- Body mass index (BMI) and birth weight are identified as predictive factors for refractory epilepsy in children.
- Leptin may play a role in the observed effects.
- Further research is recommended to elucidate the mechanisms, particularly in pediatric epilepsy.
Objective:
We aimed to assess the effect of body mass index (BMI) on reducing the risk of refractory seizure due to lipoid tissue factors.
Materials & Methods:
This matched case-control study, consisted of cases (Patients with refractory epilepsy) and controls (Healthy children) referred to 17 Shahrivar Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Guilan, Iran during 2013-2014. Data were gathered by a form including demographic characteristics, type of epilepsy, predominant time of epilepsy, therapeutic approach, frequency of epilepsy, time of disease onset and anthropometric indices. We measured anthropometric indices and transformed them into Z-scores. Data were reported by descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient, paired t test and multinomial regression analysis test using SPSS 19.
Results:
There was no significant difference between sex groups regarding anthropometric indices. Generalized and focal types of epilepsies were noted on 57.5% and 38.75% of patients, respectively. Daytime epilepsies happened in 46.25% of patients and 33.75% noted no predominant time for epilepsies. Clinicians indicated poly-therapy for the majority of patients (92.5%). The most common onset times for epilepsies were 36-72 months for 32.5% of patients. Lower onset time indicated lower frequency of refractory epilepsies. Although, there was significant difference between Zheight and predominant time of epilepsies but no significant relation was found between types of epilepsies and frequency of epilepsies with anthropometric indices. Using multivariate regression analysis by backward LR, Zweight and birth weight were noted as the predicting factors of refractory epilepsies.
Conclusion:
This effect may be because of leptin. Therefore, researchers recommend further investigations regarding this issue in children with epilepsy.
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