Social and medical care of preschool children with epilepsy in Croatia: Population-based survey

Cvitanović-Šojat, Ljerka; Bielen, Ivan; Sruk, Ana; Kosicek, M; Planjar-Prvan, Miljenka; Baraba, Ranka; Bergman-Marković, Biserka; Butković-Soldo, Silva

doi:10.1016/j.ejpn.2008.12.003

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Even if we could have accessed number of the worldwide use of valproic acid in the child population, we still would not have been able to generate a reliable risk estimate using our data because of the known problem of underreporting of spontaneous reports [31] , [32] . We know that valproic acid is the most frequently prescribed AED for children in several countries in Europe [33] , [34] and the second most frequently prescribed AED for children in the USA, Cuba and Egypt [35] - [37] . Although the number of fatalities reported is small in relation to the number of likely prescriptions, one again needs to recognise that the vast majority of ADRs are unreported or unsuspected [31] , [32] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Valproic Acid and Fatalities in Children: A Review of Individual Case Safety Reports in VigiBase

2014

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IntroductionValproic acid is an effective first line drug for the treatment of epilepsy. Hepatotoxicity is a rare and potentially fatal adverse reaction for this medicine.ObjectiveFirstly to characterise valproic acid reports on children with fatal outcome and secondly to determine reporting over time of hepatotoxicity with fatal outcome.MethodsIndividual case safety reports (ICSRs) for children ≤17 years with valproic acid and fatal outcome were retrieved from the WHO Global ICSR database, VigiBase, in June 2013. Reports were classified into hepatotoxic reactions or other reactions. Shrinkage observed-to-expected ratios were used to explore the relative reporting trend over time and for patient age. The frequency of polytherapy, i.e. reports with more than one antiepileptic medicine, was investigated.ResultsThere have been 268 ICSRs with valproic acid and fatal outcome in children, reported from 25 countries since 1977. A total of 156 fatalities were reported with hepatotoxicity, which has been continuously and disproportionally reported over time. There were 31 fatalities with pancreatitis. Other frequently reported events were coma/encephalopathy, seizures, respiratory disorders and coagulopathy. Hepatotoxicity was disproportionally and most commonly reported in children aged 6 years and under (104/156 reports) but affected children of all ages. Polytherapy was significantly more frequently reported for valproic acid with fatal outcome (58%) compared with non-fatal outcome (34%).ConclusionHepatotoxicity remains a considerable problem. The risk appears to be greatest in young children (6 years and below) but can occur at any age. Polytherapy is commonly reported and seems to be a risk factor for hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis and other serious adverse drug reactions with valproic acid.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Valproic Acid and Fatalities in Children: A Review of Individual Case Safety Reports in VigiBase

2014

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“…Children had 24 hour a day supervision by several child neurologists, a clinical psychologist, two nurses and two animators. (4,9) The program of the camp included educational, entertainment and sports activities aimed at improving the mutual acquaintance of peers with the same illness, acquiring new knowledge of the disease, and improving psychological adaptation to the disease (4,9).…”

Section: General Design and Patient Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have shown that education and support groups create positive attitudes to successfully adapt to the disease and reduce anxiety and depression (3). In addition, educational and rehabilitation camps for children and adolescents suffering from chronic diseases are organized around the world and have proven to be extremely beneficial for the children and their caregivers (4).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Korisnost kampa za djecu s epilepsijom: retrospektiva

Kukuruzović,

Cvitanović-Šojat,

Divčić

et al. 2024

Paediatr Croat

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Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of educational and recreational camping programs for children with epilepsy. Method: A retrospective review of data collected from all children attending annual epilepsy camps organized by the Croatian Epilepsy Association and the Zagreb City Office for Health during 8 years was performed. Children included were between 6 and 18 years of age. The staff of the camp includes child neurologists, a psychologist, neurology nurses and trained volunteers. Educational activities are designed to improve children’s knowledge of epilepsy, importance of taking medication, academic choices, suggested employment, and regulations regarding driving laws. These issues were discussed in groups or in single sessions, depending on the case. Other activities included supervised swimming, team sports, fun activities and games, arts and crafts and entertainment such as disco or movie night. Each of the participants filled out three questionnaires 1. General data questionnaire and pre-camp knowledge test; 2. Camp satisfaction questionnaire and post-camp knowledge test; 3. Questionnaire on adaptation to epilepsy in young people. Results: The analyses of surveys and tests showed that only 75% of children in camp knew that they had epilepsy. In 10% of children, friends and distant family members did not know about epilepsy. Comparing the knowledge test before and after the camp, the average percentage of correctly solved tasks on the first test is 65%, and on the second 87%. The answers in the questionnaire on adaptation to life with epilepsy are indicators of strong stigma in children with epilepsy. Conclusions: The main accomplishment of the camp was for children to gain confidence that they can reach their full potential in life and to feel equal to their peers in every aspect of life.

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Social and medical care of preschool children with epilepsy in Croatia: Population-based survey

Cited by 2 publications

References 29 publications

Valproic Acid and Fatalities in Children: A Review of Individual Case Safety Reports in VigiBase

Valproic Acid and Fatalities in Children: A Review of Individual Case Safety Reports in VigiBase

Korisnost kampa za djecu s epilepsijom: retrospektiva

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