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Prediction of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Itay Tokatly Latzer1,2, Amit Blumovich1,2, Liora Sagi1,2
1Pediatric Neurology Institute, The Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Insights
Identifying risk factors for drug-resistant epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy is crucial. A predictive model using Apgar score, neonatal seizures, focal epilepsy, and EEG findings can aid early prediction for better seizure control.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Epilepsy affects approximately 40% of individuals with cerebral palsy.
- Characteristics defining drug-resistant epilepsy in this population are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify clinical risk factors predicting drug-resistant epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy.
- To develop a simple predictive model for clinical application.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 118 children with cerebral palsy (2013-2018).
- Analysis of clinical parameters in patients with drug-resistant versus controlled epilepsy.
Main Results:
- A predictive model for drug-resistant epilepsy was established.
- Key predictors include low Apgar score (5 minutes), neonatal seizures, focal-onset epilepsy, and focal slowing on electroencephalogram (EEG).
- The model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.840.
Conclusions:
- A simple predictive model for drug-resistant epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy has been developed.
- Early identification of children at risk can facilitate timely interventions for improved seizure management.
Abstract:
Epilepsy is estimated to exist in approximately 40% of individuals with cerebral palsy; however, the specific features that make it drug resistant are not well defined. The main aim of this study was to determine the clinical risk factors that could predict drug-resistant epilepsy, in children with cerebral palsy. The study was performed via a retrospective chart review, analyzing clinical parameters of 118 children with cerebral palsy with either drug-resistant epilepsy or controlled epilepsy, between the years 2013 and 2018. We established a predictive model for drug-resistant epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy that is simple to apply in clinical settings and composed of the additive effect of a low Apgar score at 5 minutes, neonatal seizures, focal-onset epilepsy, and focal slowing on electroencephalogram (EEG; area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.840). Early prediction of drug-resistant epilepsy may benefit to achieve better seizure control in children with cerebral palsy.
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