Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026
Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Antiseizure Prescription for Children With Severe Congenital Heart Defects and Children With Gastrointestinal
Mads Damkjaer1, Joan K Morris2, Elisa Ballardini3
1Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Lillebaelt Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Kolding, Denmark.
Insights
Children with congenital anomalies (CAs) face a higher epilepsy risk, particularly those with central nervous system or heart defects. Early monitoring for these high-risk groups is crucial for better neurological outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Clinical Epidemiology
- Congenital Anomalies Research
Background:
- Children with congenital anomalies (CAs) exhibit an elevated risk of developing epilepsy.
- The precise relative risk (RR) for specific CA subtypes remains inadequately explored.
- This research quantifies epilepsy risk in children with CAs versus those without.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the risk of epilepsy, identified by antiseizure medication (ASM) prescriptions.
- To compare epilepsy risk between children with various CAs and a control group.
- To identify specific CA subtypes associated with increased epilepsy risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from six European congenital anomaly registries (2000-2015).
- Compared children with major CAs (ICD codes) to a reference population without anomalies.
- Defined epilepsy by >1 ASM prescription within a year; calculated RRs using mixed-effects models.
Main Results:
- Included 60,662 children with anomalies and 1,722,912 reference children (5.5-year follow-up).
- By age 5, ASM prevalence was 17.8/1000 (anomaly) vs. 2.0/1000 (reference).
- Highest RRs seen in central nervous system anomalies (corpus callosum, microcephaly, hydrocephalus); significant risks also in severe congenital heart defects and diaphragmatic hernia.
Conclusions:
- Children with CAs have a substantially higher epilepsy risk.
- Central nervous system anomalies, chromosomal abnormalities, severe congenital heart defects, and diaphragmatic hernia are key contributors.
- Highlights need for tailored monitoring and early intervention in high-risk pediatric populations.
Background:
Children with congenital anomalies (CAs) are at an increased risk of developing epilepsy, but the relative risk (RR) for specific anomaly subtypes remains underexplored. This study aims to estimate the risk of epilepsy, as indicated by antiseizure medication (ASM) prescriptions, among children with various CAs compared to children without anomalies.
Methods:
We utilized data from six European regions participating in the European network for surveillance of congenital anomalies registries, covering births from 2000 to 2015. Children with major CAs, classified by International Classification of Diseases codes, were compared to a reference population without anomalies. Epilepsy was identified based on >1 ASM prescription within a year. RRs were calculated using mixed-effects models to account for registry-specific variations.
Results:
The study included 60,662 children with anomalies and 1,722,912 reference children, with a mean follow-up of 5.5 years. By age 5 years, ASM prevalence was 17.8 per 1000 in anomaly groups and 2.0 per 1000 in reference children. The highest RRs were observed in children with central nervous system anomalies, including anomalies of the corpus callosum, severe microcephaly, and hydrocephalus. Comparable RRs were found in children with severe congenital heart defects and gastrointestinal anomalies, primarily driven by diaphragmatic hernia.
Conclusions:
Children with CAs have a significantly higher risk of epilepsy, with central nervous system, chromosomal, severe congenital heart defect, and diaphragmatic hernia being key contributors. This study highlights the importance of tailored monitoring and early intervention for high-risk groups to improve neurological outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
01:02Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
01:26Anatomy of the Gastrointestinal System
Here's a detailed walkthrough of this complex system:
01:23Lumber Defects
Shakes are minor fractures that run along or across the wood's annual rings, while wane is...
01:20Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
01:20Histology of the Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract
The mucosa is sometimes called a mucous membrane due to its mucus-secreting features. This membrane is composed of epithelium, which directly interacts with ingested substances, and the lamina propria, a layer...