Meteorological influences on seizure occurrence in children with epilepsy: a case-crossover analysis

Research on the association between meteorological conditions and epileptic seizures in children with epilepsy (CWE) remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity on seizure occurrence in CWE.

We conducted a multicenter prospective observational study involving CWE under 16 years of age who had experienced seizures more than once per year but less than once per week over the past year. Participants were enrolled between November 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. For one year following enrollment, meteorological data were recorded at the time of each seizure (T0) and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h prior to T0. Control data were collected from one (T1) and two (T2) days before T0. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess associations, adjusting for common-cold symptoms, sleep duration, menstruation, missed medication, age, and sex.

A total of 159 seizures (median: three per participant per year) occurred in 29 children. Higher maximum relative humidity within 12 and 24 h prior to T0, compared to the same intervals prior to T2, was significantly associated with increased seizure risk (12 h: odds ratio [OR], 1.026; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.003-1.048; p = 0.023; 24 h: OR 1.033; 95 % CI, 1.004-1.063; p = 0.025). No significant associations were found for other meteorological variables.

Elevated maximum humidity 12-24 h prior to seizure onset may increase seizure risk in CWE.