TY - JOUR PY - 2015// TI - Seizure-related injuries in children and adolescents with epilepsy JO - Epilepsy and behavior A1 - Lagunju, IkeOluwa A. A1 - Oyinlade, Alexander O. A1 - Babatunde, Olubusayo D. SP - 131 EP - 134 VL - 54 IS - N2 - BACKGROUND: Children with epilepsy are reported to be at a greater risk of injuries compared with their peers who do not have epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: We set out to determine the frequency and pattern of seizure-related injuries in children with epilepsy seen at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria.

METHODS: Consecutive cases of epilepsy seen at the pediatric neurology clinic of the UCH, Ibadan over a period of 6months were evaluated for injuries in the preceding 12months using a structured questionnaire. These were compared with age- and sex-matched controls.

RESULTS: A total of 125 children with epilepsy and 125 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. Injuries occurred more frequently in children with epilepsy than in their peers (p=0.01, OR 1.935, 95% CI 1.142-3.280). Epilepsy was generalized in 80 (64.0%), and localization-related in 45 (36.0%). Idiopathic epilepsy accounted for 74 (59.2%), and the remaining 51 (40.8%) had remote symptomatic epilepsy. Fifty-seven (45.6%) children had suffered seizure-related injuries with multiple injuries in 31 (24.8%). The most frequent were skin/soft tissue lacerations (26.4%), injuries to the tongue and soft tissues of the mouth (19.2%), minor head injuries (15.2%), and dental injuries with tooth loss (8.0%). There was a statistically significant association between seizure frequency and seizure-related injuries (p=0.002). Children on polytherapy had a significantly higher frequency of seizure-related injuries (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Epilepsy is a major risk factor for injuries in childhood. High seizure frequency increases the risk of multiple injuries in children with epilepsy.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1525-5050 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.11.019 ID - ref1 ER -