Seizure control in children on follow-up at Kenyatta national hospital paediatric Neurology clinic
Abstract
Background: Recent studies in both developed and developing countries have
shown that after 2 to 5 years of successful treatment with anti-epileptic drugs,
drugs can be withdrawn in about 70% of children without relapses.
Objective: To determine prevalence of poorly controlled epilepsy and factors
associated with poor seizure control among children on follow up at the
Kenyatta National Hospital paediatric neurology clinic.
Results: Two hundred and four children were recruited into the study. The
median age of was 5 years (IQR; 8 months to 12 years). Up to 14.7% (30) of
children recruited into the study were poorly controlled. Partial seizures were
associated with a higher risk of poorly controlled epilepsy, OR=14.3[(95% CI,
5.3, 37.3), P <0.05]. A family history of epilepsy was also associated with a
significantly increased risk of poor seizure control, OR=5[(95% CI, OR 1.4,
17.3), P <0.05]. The odds of having cerebral palsy among children with poorly
controlled epilepsy was OR=12.3 [(95% CI, 4.3, 35.5), p<0.05]
Conclusions: The prevalence of poorly controlled epilepsy was 14.7%. Partial
seizures, increased number of pre-treatment seizures, family history of epilepsy
and cerebral palsy independently predict the risk of poor seizure control.
Recommendations: Children at risk of intractable epilepsy should be
identifying early in the course of their presentation so that they can be followed
up closely and their caregivers better prepared to cope with their child's
condition.
Citation
Master of Medicine (Paediatrics and Child health)Publisher
University Of Nairobi College of Health Sciences