Authors :
Presenting Author: Iris Noyman, MD – Soroka University Medical Center
Keren Biham Rochwerger, MD – Soroka University Medical Center
David Montz, MD – Soroka University Medical Center
Naim El Mahdi, MD – Soroka University Medical Center
Irina Meledin, MD – Soroka University Medical Center
Eilon Shany, MD – Soroka University Medical Center
Rationale: Seizures are common during the neonatal period. Some, but not all infants who suffered from seizures in the neonatal period will develop epilepsy later in life. This study aims to assess the incidence of epilepsy among children who experienced at least one seizure in the neonatal period, to identify neonatal risk factors for epilepsy following neonatal seizures and to assess the different etiologies of neonatal seizures.
Methods:
Retrospective cohort study that included infants born in between 7/2012 and 7/2022, diagnosed with seizures confirmed by amplitude integrated EEG (aEEG) that survived at least 2 years after birth.
Neurodevelopmental follow up and development of epilepsy were retrieved from computerized medical records and parents questionnaires.
Univariable and multivariable were used as appropriate.
Results:
Of 355 infants with neonatal seizures, 224 (63.1%)survived over the age of two, two were lost for long term follow up. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) accounted for 166 (46.8%) cases intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) for 61 (17.2%), infarcts for 37 (10.4%),, meningitis/sepsis for 33 (9.3%), metabolic disorders for 28 (7.9%) and other diagnoses for 30 (8.5%). Epilepsy was diagnosed in 32 (14.3%) of 222 surviving followed up infants. Infants developing epilepsy were more likely to have abnormal development. Developing epilepsy following neonatal seizures was associated with older maternal age at birth (OR:1.082, CI:1.007-1.162), use of more than one antiseizure medication (OR:12.2, CI:2.4-62.9), IVH (OR:6.6, CI:1.7-25.8) and metabolic disorders (OR:5.2, CI:1.3-21.5).
Conclusions:
Though infants with neonatal seizures have a much higher risk than the general population for developing epilepsy, the majority will not.
Funding: no funding