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Prognostic factors for recurrence of a first seizure during childhood
1Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Insights
Childhood seizure recurrence is 36.36%, influenced by family history, triggers, seizure type, duration, and EEG abnormalities. These factors aid in managing first-time childhood seizures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Clinical Epilepsy Research
Background:
- First-time seizures in children require accurate prognosis for effective management.
- Understanding recurrence risk is crucial for clinical decision-making and parental guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the recurrence rate of seizures in childhood within a specific geographic area.
- To identify prognostic factors that predict seizure recurrence after a first event in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 136 children (1 month to 12 years) experiencing their first seizure was prospectively followed.
- Data collection included seizure characteristics, triggering factors, family history, and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings.
- Follow-up was conducted on 121 children to assess recurrence.
Main Results:
- The overall seizure recurrence rate was 36.36% during the study period.
- Predictive factors for recurrence included family history of seizures, presence of triggering factors, seizure type, seizure duration, and abnormal EEG findings.
- Cumulative recurrence risks at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months were 14.88%, 23.14%, 28.93%, 33.06%, and 35.54%, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Several clinical and electrophysiological factors significantly predict the recurrence of seizures in children.
- These identified prognostic factors can assist clinicians in managing children after their first seizure.
- The study provides valuable data on childhood seizure recurrence rates and associated risk factors in the studied population.
Abstract:
This study was designed with the objective of evaluating the chance of recurrence in our area and to answer questions regarding prognostic factors capable of helping in the management of the first seizure in childhood. One hundred and thirty six children from 1 month to 12 years of age seen at the Pediatric Emergency Division of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre because of a first seizure with or without triggering factors were included in the study. The follow-up included 121 children. We concluded that family history of seizures, presence of triggering factors at first event, seizure type, seizure duration and paroxysmal electroencephalographic abnormalities were predictive factors for seizure recurrence. The recurrence in this sample was 36.36% during the study. Cumulative recurrence risks were 14.88%, 23.14%, 28.93%, 33.06% and 35.54% to 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months, respectively.