Status epilepticus in 37 Chinese children: aetiology and outcome.
OBJECTIVE
The aetiology and clinical features of status epilepticus (SE) are described, with the aim of defining any relationship between risk factors and clinical outcome.


METHODS
A retrospective review was performed of 37 Chinese children admitted to Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, from 1989 to 1993 with the diagnosis of SE.


RESULTS
Eighty-six per cent had onset before 5 years of age; 60% were due to an acute central nervous system (CNS) insult, 11% were idiopathic, 13% had a pre-existing CNS insult, 5% were febrile and 11% were due to progressive encephalopathy. An abnormal neurological status was present in 24% before the episode of SE, and a history of seizures before the onset of SE was present in 35% of patients. Fifty-four per cent of the episodes of SE were generalized. The mortality rate was 11% during the period of follow up but no deaths were attributed to SE. Neurological sequelae were observed in 27% of patients and recurrent SE occurred in 12%.


CONCLUSIONS
In those patients with normal neurological status before an episode of SE and without acute CNS insult or progressive encephalopathy, the outcome was favourable.
Kwong
K L
KL
University Department of Paediatrics, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
Lee
S L
SL
Yung
A
A
Wong
V C
VC
D017668:Age of Onset; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality