title: Seizures in the Nigerian neonate: perinatal factors.
abstract: A prospective study of 55 infants with neonatal seizures admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital over a 5.5-year period revealed that perinatal asphyxia and hypoglycemia were the principal aetiologic factors in about 71% of the cases. The most frequently encountered seizure types were unilateral clonic (51.5%). Generalized clonic and massive generalized myoclonic seizures were found in 14 (25.5%) and seven (12.7%) cases, respectively, and subtle seizures in three. The overall incidence was 3.5/1000 live births, with a preponderance of male infants in the seizure population, among whom preterm infants were significantly more common. The mortality, (34.5%) was closely related to the etiology. Since the associated adverse perinatal events are largely preventable, improved prenatal and perinatal health care delivery should lead to a decline in the frequency of neonatal seizures.
mesh_terms: D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000150:complications; D007224:Infant Care; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control