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Incidence of post-traumatic epilepsy following paediatric traumatic brain injury: protocol for systematic review and
Frederick P Mariajoseph1, Sarah S Rewell1,2, Terence J O'Brien1,2,3
1Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
This study estimates the global incidence of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) in children after traumatic brain injury (TBI). It also identifies risk factors contributing to PTE development in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is a significant complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI), leading to increased mortality and morbidity.
- Existing research on PTE predominantly focuses on adult populations, leaving a gap in understanding pediatric PTE.
- There is notable heterogeneity in reported PTE incidence rates following childhood TBI in current literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine a precise global incidence estimate of PTE in pediatric populations following TBI.
- To investigate potential risk factors associated with the development of PTE in children.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search will be conducted across Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases.
- Inclusion criteria focus on English-language publications reporting PTE incidence in individuals under 18 years of age.
- Data extraction and analysis will involve independent investigators to ensure accuracy, with a descriptive analysis and potential meta-analysis of PTE incidence.
Main Results:
- This section is to be populated upon study completion.
Conclusions:
- This section is to be populated upon study completion.
Introduction:
Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is a recognised complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and is associated with higher rates of mortality and morbidity when compared with patients with TBI who do not develop PTE. The majority of the literature on PTE has focused on adult populations, and consequently there is a paucity of information regarding paediatric cohorts. Additionally, there is considerable heterogeneity surrounding the reported incidence of PTE following childhood TBI in the current literature. The primary aim of our study is to summarise reported PTE incidences in paediatric populations to derive an accurate estimate of the global incidence of PTE following childhood TBI. Our secondary aim is to explore risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing PTE.
Methods And Analysis:
A systematic literature search of Embase (1947-2021), PubMed (1996-2021) and Web of Science (1900-2021) will be conducted. Publications in English that report the incidence of PTE in populations under 18 years of age will be included. Publications that evaluate fewer than 10 patients, report an alternative cause of epilepsy, or in which a paediatric cohort is not discernable, will be excluded. Independent investigators will identify the relevant publications, and discrepancies will be adjudicated by a third independent investigator. Data extracted will include incidence of PTE, time intervals between TBI and PTE, seizure characteristics, injury characteristics, patient demographics and clinical data. Data extraction will be performed by two independent investigators and cross-checked by a third investigator. A descriptive analysis of PTE incidence will be conducted and a weighted mean will be calculated. If sufficient data are available, stratified meta-analysis of subgroups will also be conducted.
Ethics And Dissemination:
Ethics approval was not required for this study. We intend to publish our findings in a high-quality peer-reviewed journal on completion.
Prospero Registration Number:
CRD42021245802.
