Pattern of Childhood Epilepsies in a Tertiary Health Facility in Nnewi, South-East Nigeria

Title: Pattern of Childhood Epilepsies in a Tertiary Health Facility in Nnewi, South-East Nigeria

Authors: Wilson Chukwuneke Igwe, Chijioke Elias Ezeudu, Amalachukwu Okwukweka Odita, Ngozi Esther Umeadi, Placidus Ogualili

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v4i6.46

Abstract

Background: Childhood epilepsy is one of the commonest chronic neurologic disorders affecting children in developing countries. Objective: This study is aimed to determine the pattern of childhood epilepsies in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

Methods: This is retrospective hospital-based study done at the Pediatric epilepsy clinic of a tertiary health facility in South-east, Nigeria. Relevant data were collected from hospital records of children attending the clinic from June 2013 to June 2015.

Results: A total of 179 patients (104 males (58.1%) and 75 females (41.9%)) were studied. The mean age at seizure onset was 2.74 +1.69 years. The main risk factors associated with epilepsy were birth asphyxia, neonatal jaundice and neonatal convulsions (55.9%), and a family history of epilepsy (44.1%). Generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy was the commonest form of epilepsy (68.7%). More than 50% of the patients presented to epilepsy clinic within a year of seizure onset. Most of the patients (80.4%) had received some form of orthodox medications before presenting to the clinic. The most common disorders found to co-exist with epilepsy were cerebral palsy (26.8%) and mental retardation 25.4%).

Conclusion: Childhood epilepsy in our environment is largely associated with preventable perinatal and neonatal risk factors. Neuroimaging abnormalities are common in children with epilepsy in our environment. Prompt and appropriate care of the high risk neonate and other infections of central nervous system in childhood will significantly reduce the incidence of epilepsy.

Key Words: Childhood epilepsies, pattern, South-east, Nigeria.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Wilson Chukwuneke Igwe

Dept of Pediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University,

Awka, Nnewi Campus,

Telephone: +2347036531408. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.