The Clinical, Etiological, and Demographic Profile of Children Aged 1 to 14 Years with Seizures Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Gwalior District, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose The clinical profile of seizures among children exhibits ethnic and geographical variations. The objective of this study was to examine the clinical, etiological, and demographic profiles of childhood seizures. Methods This was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study. Data were collected on the socio-demographic profile, details of the clinical presentation of seizure episodes, past history of meningitis, and neuroimaging (i.e., computed tomography [CT] scans), as well as the history of risk factors. Numbers, percentages, the chi-square test, and the Fisher exact test statistic were calculated. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results This study included 102 patients, of whom 82 experienced generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) and the remaining 20 had focal seizures. The most common age at presentation was between 1 and 4 years (55.9%). Approximately 70.0% of the children experienced postictal confusion and drowsiness, 38.2% had fever or sleep deprivation, and 25.5% suffered from headaches or vomiting. Postictal confusion and drowsiness were significantly more prevalent in children with GTCS (76.8%) compared to those with focal seizures (45.0%). Cerebral edema was the most common abnormality detected on CT scans in children with GTCS (n=6). Conclusion Younger age, neonatal brain insult, and family history were found to be associated with a higher risk of seizure episodes. Postictal confusion and drowsiness were identified as the most common clinical features. Postictal confusion and drowsiness were significantly more prevalent in GTCS compared to focal seizures. Cerebral edema was the most common abnormality observed in GTCS on CT neuroimaging.

Keywords

• headache
• meningitis
• neuroimaging
• vomiting
• seizures