The etiology and risk factors of convulsive status epilepticus in pediatric patients of tertiary center in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the etiology of status epilepticus )SE( among the pediatric patients of a tertiary center in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia )KSA(. Methods: Data from 88 cases was obtained retrospectively from 2006 to 2017 from King Abdulaziz University Hospital )KAUH(. Patients aged between 28 days and 14 years with the symptoms of SE were selected for this study. Original ArticlesResults: The data show that the proportions of SE etiologies were 30.5% for febrile seizure, 11.9% for electrolytes imbalance, 8.5% for hydrocephalus, 6.8% for CNS infections, and 6.8% for neoplasm. The other etiologies of SE were trauma, fever, intractable epilepsy, cerebrovascular accident, hemorrhagic stroke, etc. There were no clear etiologies in 8 cases. Most of the patients were not of Saudi origin )64.3%(, boys )67.8%(, and had generalized epilepsy types )91.8%(, and 58.6% of the patients complied with epilepsy medications. Conclusion:The most prevalent etiology of convulsive status epilepticus was a febrile seizure, followed by electrolyte imbalance and hydrocephalus. However, a nationwide study in KSA must be conducted to determine the major etiologies of SE for its effective management and prevention. Educating families and patients regarding antiepileptic drugs is necessary.

Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Convulsive Status Epilepticus Patients Admitted in the Emergency Department of Tertiary Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia

“…10 In pediatric patients, SE has been associated with CNS damage, fever, poisoning, systemic infection, low anticonvulsant levels, anatomical brain abnormalities, electrolyte imbalances, and inborn metabolic errors in children. 13,14 In our study, prolonged febrile seizures, meningitis, encephalitis,…”

“… 19 Mortality rates are 15% to 20% in adults 12 and 3% to 15% in children. 14 In our study, 18 (19.6%) of 92 patients admitted died during hospitalization, while 74 (80.4%) were discharged from the hospital following successful management. 3% of the subjects became refractory status epileptics.…”

“… 10 In pediatric patients, SE has been associated with CNS damage, fever, poisoning, systemic infection, low anticonvulsant levels, anatomical brain abnormalities, electrolyte imbalances, and inborn metabolic errors in children. 13 , 14 In our study, prolonged febrile seizures, meningitis, encephalitis, systemic infection, structural brain abnormalities, and poor antiepileptic compliance were the most common underlying etiologies of status epilepticus in pediatric patients. As per a study by Coeytaux et al, cerebrovascular accidents were the most frequent risk factors in non-epileptic patients (30%).…”

Status Epilepticus in Pediatric Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

“…The results demonstrated that inadequate AED treatment was caused by the use of multiple doses of benzodiazepines, the lack of second-or third-line medicines, or the delayed delivery of second-and third-line pharmaceuticals. While Alyoubi, Reem et al [26] also in Jeddah reported that a febrile seizure was the most frequent cause of convulsive status epilepticus, followed by electrolyte imbalance and hydrocephalus.…”

“…(2021) [26] This research was carried out in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to determine what causes status epilepticus (SE) in pediatric patients. Medical records from the years 2006 to 2017 were used to gather the data.…”