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Signa vitae : journal for intesive care and emergency medicine, Vol. 9 No. 1, 2013.

Original scientific paper

Risk factors for developing epilepsy after neonatal seizures

DARJA PARO-PANJAN ; Clinical Department of Neonatology, Division of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Bohoričeva ulica 20, SI-1525 Ljubljana, Slovenia
ANETA SOLTIROVSKA ŠALAMON ; Clinical Department of Neonatology, Division of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Bohoričeva ulica 20, SI-1525 Ljubljana, Slovenia
DAVID NEUBAUER ; Clinical Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, Division of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Abstract

Neonatal seizures are the most frequent neurological disorder in the neonatal period. The incidence is reported to be higher
than at any other period in life. Because of the unique nature of neonatal brain anatomy, connections and the paradoxical
nature of neurotransmitters, seizures in this age group vary in semiology from those in older children. They may cause
irreversible changes to the synapses in the immature brain and progress to epilepsy.
The aim of the study was to analyse laboratory, clinical, neurophysiological and neuroimaging risk factors for epilepsy in a
group of children who experienced seizures in the neonatal period.
A retrospective study of 176 newborns admitted to the Department of Neonatology, University Children’s Hospital Ljubljana,
due to seizures, was performed. Metabolic disorders and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy were the most frequent aetiological
factors associated with seizures. Epilepsy rate in the group was 18%. Pathological cardiotocography, reanimation
after delivery, myoclonic type of seizures, more than one type of seizures, severely abnormal electroencephalography,
abnormal neurological examination and neuroimaging, treatment with more than one antiepileptic drug and duration of
treatment more than one month constituted statistically significant independent predictive factors for epilepsy (p< 0.05).
The results of our study further elucidate risk factors for epilepsy after neonatal seizures.

Keywords

newborns; seizures; epilepsy; risk factors

Hrčak ID:

134097

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/134097

Publication date:

1.10.2013.

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