Abstract

A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON THE RISK FACTORS AND TYPES OF SEIZURES IN PAEDIATRIC EPILEPSY POPULATION IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Ashna Susan John*, Anna Sneha Samuel, Jeenu Joseph, Preethu P. John and Santhosh M. Mathews

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting people across the globe. More than 10 million children worldwide have some forms of epilepsy. Wherever treatment is deemed necessary, medication with anti-convulsants is generally the first line therapy. The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors and types of seizures in the paediatric epilepsy patients. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the department of paediatrics for a period of 6 months and 1 year data was collected. Patients who satisfied both inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken for the study. Patients case file review was done to assess the data like demographic details, patient history, types of seizures, possible risk factors, and diagnostic tests conducted in hospital, past and present treatments, dose and duration of therapy. Results: Total number of the study population was 115 and the mean age of the study population was 6.25±4.07. Majority of patients belongs to the age group 1-6 years. Epileptic seizures were found to be more prominent in males. Febrile illness was identified as the most common risk factor contributed to the development of paediatric epilepsy and Status Epilepticus was the commonest type of epilepsy followed by GTCS. Majority of the children were on monotherapy (67.8%) followed by dual therapy (26.08%). Levetiracetam was the highly prescribed AED therapy irrespective of type of epilepsy. Conclusion: It is hoped that the objectives are met. Among the study population, 67.8% responded to monotherapy while others required combination therapy. The study concludes that febrile illness was identified as an increased risk factor for developing paediatric epilepsy. The prescribing trends of AEDs in different types of seizures were based on clinicians own experiences.

Keywords: Epilepsy, Paediatrics, Risk factors, Prescribing trends, Anti epileptic drugs (AEDs), Seizure types.