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Profile and clinical characterization of seizures in hospitalized children
Ernestina Ernest Mwipopo1, Shahnawaz Akhatar1, Panpan Fan1
1Dongchi Zhao, Department of Pediatrics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Insights
Febrile seizures are the most common cause of pediatric seizures in Central China, with most children having good outcomes. Further investigation is recommended for unprovoked seizures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Clinical Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Seizures are a frequent pediatric neurological disorder causing significant distress to caregivers.
- Understanding the specific profile and causes of pediatric seizures is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the demographic profile and clinical spectrum of seizures in children admitted to a tertiary hospital.
- To analyze the most common etiologies of seizures in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective hospital-based study was conducted at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University.
- Data from 200 pediatric patients admitted between January 2012 and May 2015 were analyzed.
- Information collected included demographics, clinical presentations, laboratory tests, neuroimaging, EEG, diagnosis, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Febrile seizures constituted the leading etiology (87.5%) in 200 pediatric patients, predominantly in children aged 1 month to 5 years (96.5%).
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were the most common type (98.0%), often associated with fever (91.0%).
- Viral infections were the most frequent cause among positive infection tests (49.0%).
Conclusions:
- Febrile seizures are the predominant cause of pediatric seizures in this Central China cohort.
- While prognosis and outcomes are generally favorable, prolonged hospitalization was observed.
- Brain imaging is recommended for children with unprovoked seizures to elucidate etiology.
Introduction:
Seizure is the commonest pediatric neurological disorder, which is frightening to caretakers. The current study aims to determine profile, clinical spectrum and analyze the commonest etiology of seizures in children admitted to a tertiary hospital in Central China.
Methods:
This was a hospital based retrospective study carried out in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, China. Computerized data was collected from January 2012 to May 2015. Variables collected were demographics, clinical presentations and laboratory tests; brain imaging studies, electroencephalography, diagnosis, prognosis, outcome and duration of hospitalization.
Results:
A total of 200 patients were admitted with seizures. There were 109 (54.5%) males and 91 (45.5%) females. Among these patients, 193 (96.5%) were aged 1 month to 5 years and 182 (91.0%) presented with seizures and fever. Generalized tonic-clonic seizure was the most common seizure type in 196 (98.0%) children. Febrile seizure was the leading etiology of seizure in 175 (87.5%) children followed by epilepsy in 11 (5.5%) children. There were only 3 (2%) children with central nervous system infections. Abnormal brain images were noted in 10 (20%) out of 50 patients. Among 193 children tested for different infections, 49 (25.4%) had positive results. Viral infections were commonest infections by 49.0%, atypical bacterial 34.7% and 16.3% coinfections.
Conclusion:
Seizure was the commonest neurological condition of children admitted in our hospital, febrile seizures being the commonest etiology. The prognosis and outcomes were good but there were prolonged days of hospitalization. Children with unprovoked seizures require brain-imaging studies for better understanding of seizure etiology.
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