Effects of puberty on seizure frequency.
Seizure frequency was documented before, during and in some cases after puberty for 12 patients with continuing generalised tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) and for 14 with complex partial seizures (CPS) who were receiving anti-epileptic drugs. For the patients with GTCS there was a significant increase in seizure frequency during the pubertal growth-spurt, with a subsequent decrease after growth ceased. There appeared to be no relationship between puberty and the frequency of CPS. Both groups were more likely to have suboptimal plasma drug-levels during puberty, suggesting that medication was not the cause of the increased GTCS frequency. Further examination of hormonal levels in relation to frequency of GTCS during puberty could provide a better understanding of the influence of hormones.
Niijima
S
S
Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff.
Wallace
S J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000503:physiopathology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000503:physiopathology; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology*
D000927:Anticonvulsants