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Risk of Second Seizure in Pediatric Patients With Idiopathic Autism

Asad A Qadir1, Emily Obringer1, Joseph Hageman1

  • 11 Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.

Journal of Child Neurology
|June 13, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy face a high risk of seizure recurrence. Most children experienced a second seizure within one year of their first, highlighting the need for timely intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Epilepsy

Background:

  • Epilepsy is a frequent comorbidity in children with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Understanding seizure recurrence patterns is crucial for managing epilepsy in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the risk and timing of a second seizure in children diagnosed with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • To provide data that can inform therapeutic strategies for ASD patients experiencing seizures.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective chart review was conducted.
  • Included patients were diagnosed with idiopathic ASD, had at least one seizure, and were between 2 and 23 years of age.

Main Results:

  • 153 patients were analyzed, with 141 (92%) experiencing a second seizure.
  • The average age at first seizure was 7.14 years and at second seizure was 8.12 years.
  • The average interval between the first and second seizure was 7.68 months.

Conclusions:

  • Children with ASD have a significantly high risk of seizure recurrence.
  • The majority of seizure recurrences in this cohort occurred within one year.
  • These findings underscore the importance of prompt and effective epilepsy management in children with ASD.
Abstract

Keywords:
autismdevelopmental delayepilepsypediatricseizures

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