Abdulhafeez MK, Khalid I, Rana A, Ahmed V, Dalal E and Khalid Md
Introduction: Seizures are among the most common neurological disorders in the pediatric age group. Up to 10% of children might experience at least one paroxysmal episode suggestive of seizure activity in their life. It is thought that 5% of all medical attendances to emergency department are related to seizures. Whether the first nonfebrile seizure is the kick start of long term epilepsy is always a question that physicians and families encounter. Ordering Electroencephalogram (EEG) for children with first non-febrile seizure is a subject of continuous debate.
Objectives: To collect demographic background data for children (1 month to 14 years) who presented with the first non-febrile seizure, To determine the prevalence and pattern of EEG abnormalities in Children (1 month to 14 years) with first non-febrile seizure, and To collect possible evidence sufficient to make a recommendation for the use versus abandoning use of routine EEG in children with first episode of non-febrile seizure.
Methods: In a retrospective single-center observational study around (400) children were admitted with first nonfebrile seizure to the Pediatric Emergency Centers (PECs) and their seizure were defined using the international league against epilepsy (ILAE) between January 2012 to December 2013 were studied. EEG was requested for 76 patients. Their EEG were reviewed and interpreted by pediatric neurology consultants. Patients’ demographic data and EEG records are then analysed.
Results: Infants unexpectedly represented a small proportion of our cohort. Male gender predominance was noticed. No significant correlation could be found in EEG yield in regard to seizure type. Certain patterns of EEG abnormalities were observed.
Conclusions: Epileptic seizure should be diagnosed clinically and EEG is just a helpful tool. Utility of EEG is debatable in childhood first non-febrile seizure. EEG is helpful but interpretation should be individualized. EEG alone is not very good predictors of seizure recurrence or overall prognosis. Larger scale studies with longer follow up are needed.