CLINICO-ETIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF FIRST EPISODE OF SEIZURE AND ITS CORRELATION WITH ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM AND IMAGING SPECTRUM IN CHILDREN AGED ABOVE 5 YEARS OF AGE IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Seizures, a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms resulting from abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain [1, 2].Seizure is one of the commonest neurological illnesses. About 4-10% of children experience at least one episode in the rst 16 years of life. Where 1/5th of total children with unprovoked seizures may develop epilepsy. Risk is approximately 20% if neurological examination, electroencephalogram (EEG) and neuroimaging is normal[1]. EEG abnormalities can be detected in up to 59% of children with rst afebrile seizure and can identify subtle focality in presence of normal magnetic resonance imaging of brain[1]. Neuroimaging has an important role in children with focal seizure, persistent seizure activity, focal neurologic decit, neurocutaneous disorder etc.Right assessment and scrutiny of rst seizure is crucial, not only for abortion of acute attack but also for long term control of epilepsy. Aim and methods- The objective of the study is to determine the age of onset, etiology of rst episode of seizure in children between the age group of above 5 yearsto15 years and the pattern of EEG changes and MRI ndings in the above group of children. In a prospective single centre observational study at GIMS GADAG, around 60 children who were admitted with rst episode of seizure at age group of above 5 years to 15 years to our emergency department between October 2021 to July-2022 (10 months) were studied. Seizures dened using international league against epilepsy (ILAE). EEG and MRI were done in all 60 children and their records were analysed. Results- A total of 60 children presenting with rst episode of seizures were included in the study. 9-12 year age group were major portion of our study with male gender predominance. Generalized seizures were more common accounting for 78%. Idiopathic seizure was the most common etiology identied (40%), followed by meningitis (27%) and other causes. EEG abnormality was seen in 50% of the children.