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Risk factors affecting seizure recurrence in childhood epilepsy during short-term follow-up
Yasemin Baranoglu Kilinc1, Fatma Hancı2, Handan Ankaralı3
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Training and Research Hospital, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey. yaseminbaranoglu@hotmail.com.
Insights
Seizure recurrence in pediatric epilepsy is higher in boys and those with abnormal neurological exams, global growth retardation, or comorbidities. Abnormal neuroimaging also increases recurrence risk. These factors are key for predicting outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Epilepsy Research
Background:
- Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in children.
- Understanding factors predicting seizure recurrence is crucial for effective management.
- Pediatric epilepsy management requires identifying prognostic indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors influencing seizure recurrence in pediatric epilepsy patients.
- To identify specific clinical and diagnostic markers associated with recurrent seizures.
- To analyze risk factors for seizure recurrence in children treated with single antiseizure drugs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 300 pediatric epilepsy patients (2015-2018).
- Data collected from hospital records including medical history, clinical, and laboratory findings.
- Multivariate binary logistic regression used to evaluate risk factors for seizure recurrence.
Main Results:
- Higher seizure recurrence rates observed in boys compared to girls.
- Abnormal neurological examinations, global growth retardation, and abnormal MRI findings were associated with increased recurrence.
- Comorbidities like cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorders significantly increased seizure recurrence risk.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal neurological examination, neuroimaging, comorbidities, and global growth retardation are significant predictors of seizure recurrence in pediatric epilepsy.
- These findings aid in risk stratification and personalized treatment strategies for children with epilepsy.
- Early identification of these factors can improve long-term seizure control and patient outcomes.
Purpose:
The aim of this study is to examine the factors affecting seizure recurrence in pediatric patients diagnosed with epilepsy.
Methods:
Three hundred patients presenting to the pediatric neurology clinic between 2015 and 2018 and diagnosed with epilepsy and treated with single antiseizure drug were included in the study. Medical histories and clinical and laboratory findings were retrieved retrospectively from the hospital data system. The combined and adjusted effects of risk factors on seizure recurrence were evaluated using multivariate binary logistic regression analysis.
Results:
Boys had a higher rate of seizure recurrence than girls. Seizure recurrence was also higher in patients with abnormal neurological examinations at the time of diagnosis compared to those with normal neurological examinations. Seizure recurrence was significantly higher in patients with global growth retardation. Epilepsy patients with abnormal MRI findings also had a higher rate of seizure recurrence than patients with normal neuroimaging findings. In addition, seizure recurrence was significantly higher in epilepsy patients with comorbidities such as cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorders compared to patients without comorbidities. No significant association was observed between seizure recurrence and the first drug, perinatal asphyxia history, localization of epileptiform discharges on EEG, family history of epilepsy, family history of febrile seizures, history of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit during the perinatal period, or preterm delivery.
Conclusion:
Abnormal neurological examination, abnormal neuroimaging and accompanying comorbidities, and global growth retardation at the time of diagnosis are important factors affecting seizure recurrence in pediatric patients with epilepsy.
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