KUMJ | VOL. 14 | NO. 4 | ISSUE 56 | OCT.-DEC. 2016
Clinical Profile and Electroencephalogram Findings in Children with Seizure Presenting to Dhulikhel Hospital
Poudyal P, Shrestha RPB, Shrestha PS, Dangol S, Shrestha NC, Joshi A, Shrestha A
Abstract: Background
Seizure disorder is the most common childhood neurologic condition and a major
public health concern. Identification of the underlying seizure etiology helps to
identify appropriate treatment options and the prognosis for the child.
Objective
This study was conducted to investigate the clinical profile, causes and
electroencephalogram findings in children with seizure presenting to a tertiary
center in Kavre district.
Method
This was a hospital based prospective study carried out in the Department of
Pediatrics, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kavre from 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2016. Variables
collected were demographics, clinical presentations, laboratory tests, brain imaging
studies, electroencephalography, diagnosis and outcome.
Result
Study included 120 (age 1 month to 16 years) children attending Dhulikhel Hospital.
Majority of the patients were male (60.84%). Age at first seizure was less than 5
years in 75.83% of children. Seizure was generalized in 62.50%, focal in 31.67% and
unclassified in 5.83%. Common causes of seizure were – Primary generalized epilepsy
(26.66%), neurocysticercosis (10%) and hypoxic injury (6.6%) which was diagnosed
in the perinatal period. Febrile seizure (26.66%) was the most common cause of
seizure in children between 6 months to 5 years of age. Neurological examination,
electroencephalography and Computed Tomography were abnormal in 71.66%,
68.92% and 58.14% cases respectively. Seizure was controlled by monotherapy in
69.16% cases and was resistant in 7.50% of the cases.
Conclusion
Primary generalized epilepsy and febrile seizure were the most common causes of
seizures in children attending Dhulikhel Hospital. Electroencephalogram findings
help to know the pattern of neuronal activity. Response to monotherapy was good
and valproic acid was the most commonly used drug.
Keyword : Children, electroencephalogram, seizure