Abstracts

To assess signs and symptoms related to seizures and to the use of antiepileptic drugs ( AED) inducing Lower Respiratory Tract Affections ( LRTA) in children with Catastrophic Epilepsies (CE)., This study is a 2 years retrospective case study including 28 children, age 0;8-7;4 mean 2;9 ), males 20(71%) and females 8(29%) with intractable seizures. Seizures were observed by trained nurses. All children underwent excessive diagnostic procedures to define epilepsy syndrome and etiology. Pulmonary symptoms were diagnosed on clinical observations, physical examinations, X ray and measurement of O2 saturation., LRTA occurred in 12 children (43%)( LTRA), 16 (57%) children had no LRTA. (n-LRTA. Daily seizures occurred in 9(75%) infants in LRTA and in 6 (37%) in n-LRTA.
Seizure related LTRA inducing factors were seen 8 ( 67%) in LRTA, 4 (25%) in n-LRTA. Vomiting 4( 33%) in LRTA, 2(12%)in n-LRTA. Salivation 5( 42%) in LRTA, 0 (0%) in n-LRTA. Apnea 1(8%) in LRTA and 0(0%) in n-LRTA, and somnolence 1(8%) in LRTA, 2 (12%) in n-LRTA.
LRTA inducing adverse events of antiepileptic drugs ( AED) were seen11( 92%) and 5 (31%) in n-LRTA. Salivation was present 4 (33%) in LRTA and 0(0%) in n-LRTA, somnolence 4 (33%) in LRTA ,3(19%)in n-LTRA, vomiting 2 (16%) in LRTA, 0(0%) in n-LRTA and apnea 1(8%) in LRTA and 0(0%) in n-LRTA .1(8 %)child died in LRTA ,2 (12%) in n-LRTA., LRTA in infants with CE can be life threatening and have negative impact on quality of life. Daily seizures, salivation and vomiting might induce LRTAThere is a further need of investigations to improve prevention and treatment options.,