Abstracts

Rationale: A few studies have suggested that physical activity is decreased in children with epilepsy, that some antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are associated with weight gain, and that increased levels of leptin in patients with epilepsy may be responsible for weight gain. However, the intimate relationship between obesity and epilepsy in children remains still unclear. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of obesity in children, and adolescents with epilepsy. Methods: Patients diagnosed with seizures were randomly selected from our institution patients’ data base. Information gathered included age, gender, epilepsy type, degree of seizure control, and antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment. Body mass index (BMI=Kg/m2) was plotted onto the CDC graphs. Obesity was defined as BMI at or above the 95th percentile/gender/age. Prevalence in our patients was compared to expected values from the 2003-2004 NHANES US population data (JAMA 2006;295:1549-55). Results: Two hundred patients were included in the study, 117 (58.5%) males, and 83 (41.5%) females, ages 2-20 years (mean 10.8 years). Type of epilepsy was partial in 53%, generalized in 41%, and other in 6%. Overall, there were 47 obese patients (23.5 % vs. 17% expected). In males younger than 11 years, obesity prevalence was 22% (vs. 17.5% expected), whereas in those older than 11 years it was 26% (vs. 18% expected). In females, the corresponding obesity prevalence was 21% (vs. 14% expected) and 23% (vs. 16% expected), respectively. BMI was not significantly related to type of epilepsy or AED treatment. Patients with good seizure control had a significantly higher BMI tan those with poor seizure control (21.7±6.4 vs. 18.5±4.8, respectively, p<0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents with epilepsy is high, and seems to be independent of the type of epilepsy or AED treatment. The relationship of obesity and good seizure control suggests the hypothesis that patients with higher BMI may have higher leptin levels, which might translate into better seizure control, as it has been demonstrated that leptin has antiepileptic effects.