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Risk Factors for Diagnostic Delay in Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures Among Children and Adolescents

Kette D Valente1, Ruda Alessi2, Silvia Vincentiis2

  • 1Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School (IPq-HC-FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; LIM 21-Laboratory of Neuroimaging in Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; NAPNA-Research Support Center of the University of Sao Paulo on Applied Neuroscience, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Pediatric Neurology
|December 14, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) pose a diagnostic challenge. Earlier seizure onset and a history of psychological abuse are linked to delayed diagnosis in children with PNES.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Epilepsy Research

Background:

  • Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) in children present diagnostic difficulties.
  • Delayed diagnosis impacts treatment and outcomes for pediatric PNES patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze diagnostic delays in pediatric PNES.
  • To identify risk factors contributing to delayed PNES diagnosis in children.

Main Methods:

  • Video electroencephalography (EEG) documented PNES in 53 pediatric patients.
  • Neurological and psychiatric interviews were conducted.
  • Patients had no prior PNES diagnosis.

Main Results:

  • Average delay from seizure onset to referral was 17.76 months.
  • Earlier age of seizure onset correlated with a later diagnosis (P < 0.001).
  • History of psychological abuse was associated with delayed referral (P = 0.018).

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric PNES diagnosis is challenging.
  • Identifying at-risk children can facilitate earlier PNES diagnosis and intervention.
Abstract

Keywords:
adolescentschildrendiagnosisnonepileptic seizurespsychogenic

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