Dados do Trabalho

Título

THE FIRST UNPROVOKED SEIZURE IN CHILDREN FROM A REFERENCE TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN PARANA, BRAZIL

Introdução

A seizure occurs as result of a sudden and transitory abnormal electrical brain activity, that causes a variety of changes on behavior, movements and level of consciousness. After a first unprovoked seizure, the risk of recurrence in the three following years varies from 23 to 71%. The recurrence of a seizure after more than 24 hours after the first defines the diagnosis of Epilepsy, which has numerous biological, cognitive, psychological and social consequences.

Objetivo

Given this scenario, the objective of the present study is to describe the profile of the pediatric patients with a first unprovoked seizure in an outpatient tertiary reference care center in Paraná, Brazil.

Métodos

A total of 33 children, ages 3 months to 14 years old, followed-up for a first unprovoked seizure at a reference tertiary care center from 2009 to 2019 were included in this study. Data were obtained from the first 18 months of follow-up, through the patients’ medical records. The characteristics examined were gender; age at the first seizure; family history of epilepsy and/or seizures; seizure type; abnormalities in electroencephalogram (EEG), head computed tomography (CT) and head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); use of antiepileptic medication after the first seizure and which medication was used.

Resultados

Out of the 33 patients, 23 were male and 10 female; 39% were 5-10 years old at the time of the first seizure and 39% were 10-15 years old; 27% have positive first-degree family history of epilepsy and/or seizures. As for the seizure type, 65% had focal onset and 32% generalized onset. Regarding EEG and head scans abnormalities, 97% had an EEG, of which 45% had epileptiform abnormalities; 97% performed at least one head scan, of which 10% presented abnormalities either in head-CT or head-MRI. Antiepileptic medication was used in 94% of the patients at follow-up; 53% used carbamazepine, 19% valproic acid, 13% phenobarbital, 9% oxcarbazepine, 3% clobazam, and 3% more than one medication.

Conclusões

This study provides a comprehensive description of the profile of children with a first unprovoked seizure in a reference tertiary care center in Southern Brazil. For a more accurate epidemiological examination of this population, as well as evaluation of recurrence and risk factors for recurrence, prospective studies with a longer follow-up period are needed.

Palavras chave

Epilepsy; Seizure; Child.

Declaração de conflito de interesses de TODOS os autores

Nenhum dos autores possum conflitos de interesse.