Clinico-demographic profile of children with neurocysticercosis and risk factors for persistent seizures

Abstract

Background: Neurocysticercosis is one of the common cause of acquired epilepsy in childhood. The objective of this study was to study the clinic-demographic profile of children having Neurocysticercosis and to evaluate the potential risk factors for persistent seizures. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted after recruiting 30 children with neurocysticercosis. After detailed history and clinical examination, the neuroimaging findings were studied. Patients were started on standard anti-helmenthic and antiepileptic therapy. A regular follow up was taken with regard seizure recurrence. A neuroimaging was repeated at 6 moths follow up. Results: Among 30 children with neurocysticercosis who presented with first seizure due to neurocysticercosis, focal seizure was the commonest (63.3%) presentation and 23.3% of these presented with status epilepticus. Out of 30 cases, 7 (23.3%) patients had seizure recurrence on follow up. Patients presenting with status epilepticus, neuroimaging showing larger lesions (size more than 10 mm), multiple number of lesions and persistent presence of lesion on the CT scan at a follow up of 6 months were the factors found to have significant positive association with recurrence of seizures on follow up. Conclusions: There are potential clinical and radiological risk factors which are associated with the recurrence or persistence of seizures in patients with neurocysticercosis.