Neurological and developmental outcome of children with neonatal hypoglycemic seizures

Abstract

Objective: Neonatal hypoglycemia may lead to severe acute, and chronic neurological injuries. Hypoglycemic seizure usually follows long lasting periods of hypoglycemia and worsens cerebral injury as well as the prognosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate neurological and developmental outcomes of children with a history of neonatal hypoglycemic seizures. Methods: 21 patients who had neonatal hypoglycemic seizures and followed up in Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology between January 1999 and May 2011 were included in this study. The electroencephalography, brain magnetic resonance imaging and visual evoke potential results of the patients were recorded. Mental and motor developmental outcomes were evaluated. Results: The development of epilepsy, abnormal visual evoked potential responses and abnormal brain magnetic resonance findings in infants with a history of neonatal hypoglycemic seizures were found to be associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcome. Conclusion: Newborns should be carefully monitored for hypoglycemia which causes severe and permanent but preventable neurological sequelae.