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A community-based prospective incidence study of epileptic seizures in children
R Sidenvall1, L Forsgren, H K Blomquist
1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden.
Insights
Childhood seizures are less common than a decade ago, with the highest incidence in infants. Benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes is the most frequent epilepsy syndrome in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epidemiology of Neurological Disorders
Background:
- Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in childhood.
- Understanding the incidence and trends of childhood seizures is crucial for public health planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the current incidence rates of unprovoked non-febrile seizures in children (0-15 years).
- To compare these rates with previous data from the same region.
- To identify demographic and clinical characteristics of childhood seizures.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study over 20 months.
- Inclusion of all children with unprovoked non-febrile seizures.
- Calculation of first attendance and incidence rates per 100,000 children.
- Analysis of seizure types, epilepsy syndromes, and patient demographics.
Main Results:
- Overall incidence of unprovoked non-febrile seizures was 89/100,000, a decrease from 10 years prior.
- Highest incidence observed in the first year of life.
- Generalized seizures were most common in infants; partial seizures increased with age.
- Benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes was the most common epilepsy syndrome (10.7/100,000).
- A 1:1.4 male:female ratio was observed.
- 10% of children had a history of febrile convulsions.
Conclusions:
- Childhood seizure incidence has declined in this area.
- Epilepsy epidemiology in children shows distinct age-related patterns.
- Benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes remains a significant diagnosis in pediatric epilepsy.
Abstract:
During a 20-month period, an attempt was made to find all children with unprovoked non-febrile seizures. The first attendance and incidence rates were 95 and 89/100,000, respectively, in the age group 0-15 years. These figures are lower than those found 10 years earlier in the same area. The highest incidence was during the first year of life and there was a higher proportion of girls (male:female ratio 1:1.4). Generalized seizures dominated in the first year of life. The incidence of benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes was 10.7/100,000 and was the most common epilepsy syndrome found. The incidence of partial seizures increased with age up to the age of 10 years. One in 10 children had a history of febrile convulsions.