Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
Published on: September 20, 2024
Trends in epilepsy admissions in children, 1981-2013: population-based observational study using the Scottish
Richard F M Chin1,2, Jacqueline Stephen3, Christopher J Weir1,3
1Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Insights
Childhood epilepsy admissions are rising faster than other hospital admissions, with trends shifting towards shorter, more elective stays. Increased resources for childhood epilepsy are essential.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood epilepsy represents a significant neurological concern.
- Understanding admission trends is crucial for resource allocation and healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in childhood epilepsy admissions in Scotland from 1981 to 2013.
- To compare epilepsy admission rates with non-epilepsy admissions.
Main Methods:
- A population-based, repeated cross-sectional study using national hospital discharge data.
- Identification of primary epilepsy admissions (PEAs) and secondary epilepsy admissions (SEAs) based on diagnostic codes.
- Analysis of trends in admission rates, patient characteristics, length of stay, and readmissions.
Main Results:
- Epilepsy admissions increased significantly more than non-epilepsy admissions.
- A notable rise in secondary epilepsy admissions (SEAs) compared to primary epilepsy admissions (PEAs).
- Trends showed an increase in elective admissions and a decrease in the length of hospital stay.
Conclusions:
- Childhood epilepsy admissions are increasing disproportionately.
- Admission patterns are shifting towards shorter, more elective hospitalizations.
- There is a pressing need for enhanced epilepsy care resources for children.
Objective:
To examine trends in epilepsy admissions in children from 1981 to 2013.
Design:
Repeated cross-sectional, population-based study.
Setting:
Scotland.
Patients:
We identified admissions among children between 1981 and 2013 inclusive. Epilepsy admissions were identified from the Scottish national hospital discharge database by using relevant diagnostic codes. Primary epilepsy admissions (PEAs) were those with epilepsy as the primary discharge diagnosis, or convulsions as the primary diagnosis but with epilepsy as secondary diagnosis. All other epilepsy admissions were secondary epilepsy admissions (SEAs).
Main Outcome Measures:
Trends in annual epilepsy and non-epilepsy admission rates, as well as sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, length of stay and readmissions of epilepsy admissions.
Results:
57 031 epilepsy and 3 863 809 non-epilepsy admissions were available for analysis. Overall, epilepsy and non-epilepsy admissions increased, with a greater increase in epilepsy admissions (interaction Χ2 test statistic 252, p<0.00001). Elective epilepsy admissions, unlike elective non-epilepsy admissions, continually increased, but emergency epilepsy admissions increased until 2000 and showed only minor fluctuations thereafter. Increase in SEAs was more marked than PEAs (interaction Χ2 test statistic 627, p<0.0001). 48% of epilepsy admissions were to children's hospitals. No substantial trends were apparent in age, gender or deprivation distribution of epilepsy admissions. There was a clear trend towards shorter length of stay.
Conclusions:
Childhood epilepsy admissions are increasing, at a faster rate than non-epilepsy admissions, and have changed towards shorter, more elective admissions. Many will not be to children's hospitals, and the primary reason will often not be because of epilepsy/convulsions. More, not less, epilepsy resources are needed.
More Related Videos
14:05Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
11:29Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
Published on: June 20, 2020
Related Concept Videos
00:59Hospitals-II
Nurses that work in...
01:28Hospitals-I
01:11Observational Studies
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One...
01:31Discharge Summary Forms
Here's a detailed look at the key components and guidelines for preparing a discharge summary:
01:26National Nursing Organizations I
01:30National Nursing Organizations II
The AACN emphasizes a healthy work environment through six standards to achieve an optimal patient outcome. The standards are appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, collaboration, authentic leadership, effective communication, and decision-making. In addition, AACN provides certification programs, webinars, journals, and...