title: Neonatal seizures in the United States: results of the National Hospital Discharge Survey, 1980-1991.
abstract: We present nationally representative estimates of neonatal seizure risk by gender, race and geographic region of the United States. National Hospital Discharge Survey data were analyzed for the period 1980-1991. Birth-weight-adjusted risks of neonatal seizures were calculated by the direct method for each gender or race group and for each census region by 4-year intervals. The overall risk of neonatal seizures was 2.84 per 1,000 live births. Risk estimates were consistently higher in low-birth-weight infants (relative risk 3.9). Unadjusted risks were similar across race and gender groups; birth weight adjustment had very little effect. No clear temporal trend was apparent over the 12-year study period. National Hospital Discharge Survey data provide reasonable, although conservative, estimates of neonatal seizure risks nationwide. Underascertainment of neonatal seizures, particularly among sick low-birth-weight infants, is likely due to data collection limitations of the National Hospital Discharge Survey.
authors.affiliation: Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, KY 40508, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lanska
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lanska
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006753:Hospital Records; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology