Related Experiment Videos
Outcome of head trauma: age and post-traumatic seizures
Insights
Head-injured children aged 0-14 years were studied for post-traumatic seizures. Younger children (0-2 years) had fewer early seizures but more late seizures compared to older children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Traumatology
- Epileptology
Background:
- Head injuries in children are common, with potential long-term neurological consequences.
- Understanding the incidence and patterns of post-traumatic seizures (PTS) is crucial for pediatric care.
- Age-related differences in seizure risk following head trauma require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the influence of age at the time of injury on the occurrence of early and late post-traumatic seizures in children.
- To compare seizure frequencies in head-injured children with their non-injured siblings and with existing adult data.
- To characterize the neurological, EEG, psychometric, and psychiatric outcomes related to head injury in children.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal follow-up of 307 head-injured children (aged 0-14 years) for up to six years.
- Inclusion of 220 non-injured siblings as a control group for comparison.
- Comprehensive analysis of neurological, electroencephalogram (EEG), psychometric, and psychiatric findings.
Main Results:
- Overall incidence of early seizures (first week) was 15%, and late seizures (1 week to 6 years) was 5%.
- Youngest children (0-2 years) showed a low frequency of early seizures (3%) but a higher frequency of late seizures (11%).
- Head-injured children (2-14 years) had higher early seizure rates and lower late seizure rates than adults, while the youngest children (0-2 years) resembled adult patterns.
Conclusions:
- Age at the time of head injury significantly influences the pattern of post-traumatic seizures in children.
- The youngest children (0-2 years) exhibit a distinct seizure profile, more similar to adults, particularly those with penetrating injuries.
- These findings highlight the need for age-specific management and monitoring of neurological outcomes in pediatric head trauma.
Abstract:
A series of 307 head-injured children (0-14 yr) was followed from the acute phase for up to six years with a separate group of 220 non-injured siblings as control. The neurological, EEG, psychometric and psychiatric findings were analysed. Here we discuss the influence of age at time of injury with respect to post traumatic seizures. Overall incidence of early seizures (during first week) was 15% and of late seizures (one week to six years) was 5%. Youngest children (0-2 yr), however, had a low frequency (3%) of early seizures, but 11% frequency of late seizures. The frequency of early seizures was higher and frequency of the late seizures was lower in children than in adults with either closed or penetrating injuries. Comparison of these data with those of other investigators suggested that the overall incidence of early seizures in children 2-14 yr of age is higher than in adults, whereas the late occurrence of seizures appears to be lower than that in adults. The pattern, however, in the youngest children 0-2 yr of age resembles that of adults (particularly adults with penetrating injuries).