Clinical and Electroencephalographic Prognostic Indicators in Newborns with Seizures Regarding the Development of Epilepsy.
Abstract number :
1.187
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
131
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
M.L. Nunes, MD,PhD, Neurology, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS; L.F.G. da Silva, MD, Neurology, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS; J.C. da Costa, MD,PhD, Neurology, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS
RATIONALE: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of epilepsy in a cohort of newborns that presented neonatal seizures and to characterize clinical and EEG aspects that may predict the development of epilepsy latter in childhood.
METHODS: The population studied consisted of 127 newborns admitted to the NICU during a 10 years period, with confirmed clinical seizures, and a control group with 230 newborns from the same NICU that did not presented clinical seizures. Perinatal information and EEG features were obtained retrospectively. A detailed questionnaire to identify epilepsy, previously translated and adapted to portuguese, was send to all this families.
RESULTS: The incidence of epilepsy among the cases with neonatal seizures was 22% at 12 months and 28,3% at 36 months whereas in the control group was just 2,6%. Metabolical disturbances and perinatal asphyxia were the most frequent etiological factors associated to neonatal seizures. 87,3% of the newborns with seizures had and abnormal EEG with either background abnormalities, nonictal paroxysmal patterns or dismaturity.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed a high incidence of epilepsy after neonatal seizures and the variables that significantly related to this outcome were the use of AED in maintenance dose and the associated etiology CNS infectious disease. However normal nonictal EEG and normal neurological exam in the neonatal period significantly related to a favorable outcome without epilepsy.