Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy
10:22

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

Understanding Misdiagnosis in Pediatric Epilepsy: A Prospective Analysis of Predictors and Patterns

Mamta Patel1, Manoj Kumar Gupta2, Lokesh Saini1

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.

Pediatric Neurology
|May 26, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric epilepsy misdiagnosis is common, affecting 12.1% of cases. Utilizing validated diagnostic tools like the AIIMS modified INCLEN Diagnostic Tool for Epilepsy can improve accuracy and reduce misdiagnosis in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Diagnostic Accuracy
  • Epilepsy Research

Background:

  • Misdiagnosis of epilepsy in children is a significant clinical challenge.
  • Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment and management of pediatric epilepsy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of misdiagnosed epilepsy in children.
  • To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the AIIMS modified INCLEN Diagnostic Tool for Epilepsy.
  • To identify predictors associated with misdiagnosis in pediatric epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study conducted at a tertiary healthcare facility.
  • Recruitment of children (1 month to 18 years) with prior epilepsy diagnosis or on anti-seizure medication.
  • Evaluation using the AIIMS modified INCLEN Diagnostic Tool for Epilepsy, validated by pediatric neurologists; logistic regression for predictor analysis.

Main Results:

  • 12.1% of enrolled pediatric epilepsy patients were misdiagnosed.
  • Common alternative diagnoses included migraine, functional/dissociative seizures, and movement disorders.
  • Age (≥10 years) and urban residency were independent predictors of misdiagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric epilepsy misdiagnosis is prevalent, underscoring the need for accurate diagnostic strategies.
  • Validated tools, like the AIIMS modified INCLEN Diagnostic Tool for Epilepsy, are vital for improving diagnostic precision.
  • Further research is recommended for structured screening tools in primary and district healthcare settings.
Abstract

Keywords:
AIIMS modified INDT-EPI toolDiagnostic accuracyMisdiagnosisPediatric epilepsyPredictors

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