title: Seizure-related injuries in children and adolescents with epilepsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Children with epilepsy are reported to be at a greater risk of injuries compared with their peers who do not have epilepsy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We set out to determine the frequency and pattern of seizure-related injuries in children with epilepsy seen at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive cases of epilepsy seen at the pediatric neurology clinic of the UCH, Ibadan over a period of 6months were evaluated for injuries in the preceding 12months using a structured questionnaire. These were compared with age- and sex-matched controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 125 children with epilepsy and 125 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. Injuries occurred more frequently in children with epilepsy than in their peers (p=0.01, OR 1.935, 95% CI 1.142-3.280). Epilepsy was generalized in 80 (64.0%), and localization-related in 45 (36.0%). Idiopathic epilepsy accounted for 74 (59.2%), and the remaining 51 (40.8%) had remote symptomatic epilepsy. Fifty-seven (45.6%) children had suffered seizure-related injuries with multiple injuries in 31 (24.8%). The most frequent were skin/soft tissue lacerations (26.4%), injuries to the tongue and soft tissues of the mouth (19.2%), minor head injuries (15.2%), and dental injuries with tooth loss (8.0%). There was a statistically significant association between seizure frequency and seizure-related injuries (p=0.002). Children on polytherapy had a significantly higher frequency of seizure-related injuries (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epilepsy is a major risk factor for injuries in childhood. High seizure frequency increases the risk of multiple injuries in children with epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Department of Paediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Electronic address: ilagunju@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: IkeOluwa A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Lagunju
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Department of Paediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Alexander O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Oyinlade
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Department of Paediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olubusayo D
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Babatunde
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Children; Epilepsy; Injuries; Nigeria