Characteristics of Epilepsy in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy is a disorder of movement and posture due to disruption of the immature motoric cells in central nervous systems. It is characterized by various neurological abnormalities, one of them is epilepsy. Epilepsy is difficult to control, as it is able to aggravate motor disorders and disrupt cognitive function, ultimately worsening the long-term outcome. This research aims to determine the characteristics of epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy. A cross-sectional study was done based on medical records data Pediatric Outpatient Department and Medical Rehabilitation Installation Sanglah Hospital from January 2016 until June 2018. Eighty-four samples were included. Most of the samples were female (53.6%) with mean of age was 64 months and onset of epilepsy was 21 months. Regarding to nutritional status, most of them with undernutrition (44%). Based on birth history, 66.7% of them was born by spontaneous delivery, 34.5% with asphyxia and 82.1% were normal birth weight. Generalized seizure was the most common type of seizure (81%). Most types of cerebral palsy were spastic type (94%). History of seizures at <1 year of age was 63.1%. History of central nervous system infection was 15.5%. The most brain abnormalities was microcephaly (34.5%). Abnormal EEG results were about 91.7%, with family history of seizures was 1.2%. Frequency of polytherapy with anti-epileptic drugs was 69%. The most common type of cerebral palsy in this research was spastic type. Generalized seizure was the most common type of seizure in epilepsy children with cerebral palsy. Most of them have abnormal EEG results and need more than one anti-epileptic therapy.