Epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence and characteristics of epilepsy in patients with cerebral palsy in a tertiary center.


METHODS
a total of 100 consecutive patients with cerebral palsy were retrospectively studied. Criteria for inclusion were follow-up period for at least 2 years. Types and incidence of epilepsy were correlated with the different forms of cerebral palsy. Other factors associated with epilepsy such as age of first seizure, neonatal seizures and family history of epilepsy were also analysed.


RESULTS
follow-up ranged between 24 and 151 months (mean 57 months). The overall prevalence of epilepsy was 62%. Incidence of epilepsy was predominant in patients with hemiplegic and tetraplegic palsies: 70.6% and 66.1%, respectively. First seizure occurred during the first year of life in 74.2% of patients with epilepsy. Generalized and partial were the predominant types of epilepsy (61.3% and 27.4%, respectively). Thirty-three (53.2%) of 62 patients were seizure free for at least 1 year. Neonatal seizures and family history of epilepsy were associated with a higher incidence of epilepsy.


CONCLUSIONS
epilepsy in cerebral palsy can be predicted if seizures occur in the first year of life, in neonatal period and if there is family history of epilepsy.
Bruck
I
I
Center of Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Department, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Parana.
Antoniuk
S A
SA
Spessatto
A
A
Bem
R S
RS
Hausberger
R
R
Pacheco
C G
CG
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000927:Anticonvulsants