Seizure-related injuries in a group of young people with epilepsy wearing protective helmets: incidence, types and circumstances.
OBJECTIVE
To provide information on the incidence, types and circumstances of injuries sustained in a group of young people with epilepsy using protective helmets.


METHODS
Thirty-three residential students (21 M, 12 F, age range 5-21, mean 14.5 years) attending a special epilepsy centre over 1 year were provided with helmets. The types of protective measures, seizure frequency, types of injuries, circumstances and outcome were recorded.


RESULTS
Fourteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-one seizures were recorded in the 33 patients, which resulted in 59 injuries. The seizure-related injury risk was 4/1000 seizures. Scalp and facial bruises were the commonest injury (51%). Additional protective measures, such as bed guards and padding of dinner tables and sinks, were used for 57% of these students. Helmets were in use in 46% of the accidents; 68% of these accidents resulted in facial or scalp injuries, which required medical attention in 48%. Helmets were not in use in 41% of accidents; 57% of these accidents resulted in facial or scalp injuries, which required medical attention in 36%. Data on wearing of helmets in the accidents were unavailable in 13%.


CONCLUSIONS
Injuries continue to occur despite the use of helmets. Changes to the helmet design and modifications to suit the seizure type may improve the protection offered by helmets.
Deekollu
D
D
The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK. david_jsd@hotmail.com
Besag
F M C
FM
Aylett
S E
SE
D000056:Accident Prevention / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*