title: Growth parameters and childhood epilepsy in Hai District, Tanzania: a community-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study examined whether growth parameters were associated with epilepsy in children living in a rural community in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed in the Hai District Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS), Tanzania in which 6-14 year old children with epilepsy (CWE) were identified. Age matched controls were randomly selected from the Hai census database for comparison. Anthropometric measurements were used to assess the nutritional status of the children and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Associations between social, demographic and nutritional factors and epilepsy were assessed using multivariable logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  112 CWE were identified and were compared with 113 controls. There was no significant difference in the BMI between cases and controls (T-test, p-value of 0.117). Amongst cases, there were no significant associations between BMI and motor difficulties, antiepileptic drug use, cognitive or behavioural problems, early-onset epilepsy or seizure frequency. In the whole group, BMI was significantly associated with socio-economic status (p=0.037) and age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no significant difference found between CWE and matched controls with respect to nutritional status. This suggests that there is no causal association between under nutrition and epilepsy in this community. Nutritional assessment is still important as part of the comprehensive care of CWE.
authors: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors: Jane J
authors: JJ
authors: Rogathe
authors: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania; National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors: Jim
authors: J
authors: Todd
authors: Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
authors: Ewan
authors: E
authors: Hunter
authors: Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, UK.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Walker
authors: Centre for Geographical Medice (Coast), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kilifi, Kenya.
authors: Antony
authors: A
authors: Ngugi
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Newton
authors: Neurosciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK. Electronic address: kjburton@doctors.org.uk.
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Burton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population / Q000639:trends; D013636:Tanzania / Q000208:ethnology
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants
keywords: Africa; Children; Epilepsy; Nutritional status