CLINICAL PROFILE OF EPILEPSY IN CHILDREN AT A KM MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL

Abstract

Introduction: Worldwide especially in the developing countries Epilepsies are common for morbidities in children that are associated with significant sociocultural, economic and health implications. Epilepsy is defined as a disorder of the brain characterized by enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by the psychological, neurobiological, cognitive, and social consequences of this condition. Signs and/or symptoms of an epileptic seizure may be due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Occurrence of at least one epileptic seizure is defined as epilepsy. According to WHO it was estimated that in the world of the 50 million people with epilepsy, 80% people live in developing countries. Children less than 3 years of age incidence neurological disorders are highest with a decreasing frequency in older children which is most common worldwide. 

Aim: The main aim of this study is to clinical profile of epilepsies in children with probable aetiologies and associated comorbidities of children. 

Material and methods: Children with sign and symptoms with epileptic were admitted in this hospital.  Children and their parents were interviewed and the data recorded.  Age of patient, sex, age at onset of seizure, history was also obtained to determine the possible cause of the seizure, type of epilepsy and associated comorbidities and noted down detail relevant clinical examination findings. Detailed history and General physical examination was carried out and to detect other neurological comorbidities a detailed neurological assessment was also carried out and most cases confirmed by electroencephalography. 

Results:  Total 100 children patients were included in this study with various neurological morbidities and had epilepsy which constitutes 62.4%.  Out of total patients with epilepsy 68% children were male and 32% were females which shows male ratio is more than female. Highest number of children with epilepsy shows in the age between 1-5 years in males as well as females which is followed by 6 -10 years.

Conclusion: Therefore epilepsy is the commonest neurological morbidity, limited facilities and resources in society.  This is still a major challenge in identifying the actual aetiology in children with disease. For reduce or completely eradication for these preventable causes of this disease effort should be strengthened.

Keywords:  Epilepsy, Children, Clinical Profile.