title: Epilepsy in rural Ugandan children: seizure pattern, age of onset and associated findings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Much information on childhood epilepsy in sub Saharan Africa is hospital based. A survey was considered necessary before integrating epilepsy management into a Ugandan community programme.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using an 'outreach' method, children with recurrent seizures were offered assessment at 19 sites in Rukungiri District. A brief history and neurological and developmental assessment was carried out on each child. A clinical diagnosis of epilepsy, including seizure type, was given to 440 of 618 children <18 years with 178 exclusions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age-specific prevalence of epilepsy in children < 15 years was 2.04‰ (95% CI 1.94‰ to 2.24 ‰) based on 395 cases in an <15 years population of 193,126. Percentage distribution by seizure type was:-generalised tonic-clonic (53%), complex partial seizures CPS (27%), simple partial and miscellaneous seizures (6% each), with some diagnostic overlap between seizure types. Cerebral palsy, evident or evolving, was most strongly associated with CPS. A positive perinatal or infantile history was noted in 12 and 6% respectively, and 50.2% of seizures began in infancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of epilepsy is similar in Gambian children. The high contribution from early-onset CPS, resembles Kenyan reports of malaria-associated CPS, suggesting a causal association with malaria.
authors.affiliation: Springview Cottage, More Hall Lane, Bolsterstone, Sheffield, UK. maureen.duggan1@btinternet.com
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Duggan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services; D003625:Data Collection; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology