Meteorological influences on seizure occurrence in children with epilepsy: a case-crossover analysis
Yuto Arai1, Tohru Okanishi1, Hisashi Noma2
1Division of Child Neurology, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan.
Insights
Elevated humidity levels 12-24 hours before a seizure may increase seizure risk in children with epilepsy (CWE). This finding highlights a potential environmental trigger for seizures in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Environmental Health
- Epileptology
Background:
- Research on environmental factors influencing childhood epilepsy is limited.
- Understanding triggers for seizures in children with epilepsy (CWE) is crucial for management.
- Meteorological conditions are potential, understudied seizure triggers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity and seizure occurrence in CWE.
- To evaluate the impact of specific meteorological variables on seizure risk in pediatric epilepsy.
- To identify potential environmental triggers for seizures in children.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter prospective observational study involving 29 children with epilepsy.
- Meteorological data (humidity, pressure, temperature) recorded relative to seizure times (T0) and control periods (T1, T2).
- Conditional logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariates like common-cold symptoms, sleep, and medication adherence.
Main Results:
- Increased maximum relative humidity within 12 and 24 hours prior to seizure onset was significantly associated with higher seizure risk.
- Odds ratios indicated a 2.6% (12h) and 3.3% (24h) increase in seizure risk with elevated humidity.
- No significant associations were observed for atmospheric pressure, temperature, or other humidity intervals.
Conclusions:
- Elevated maximum humidity preceding seizure onset by 12-24 hours may be a risk factor for seizures in children with epilepsy.
- Humidity emerges as a potential environmental trigger for seizures in pediatric epilepsy.
- Further research is warranted to confirm and explore the mechanisms behind this association.
Purpose:
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.
Methods:
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.
Results:
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.
Conclusion:
Elevated maximum humidity 12-24 h prior to seizure onset may increase seizure risk in CWE.
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