Predictors of Mortality in Neonates with Seizures; a Prospective Cohort Study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze prognostic indicators for mortality in neonates with seizures in a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).


METHODS
A cohort of 100 neonates with clinically manifested seizures hospitalized in the NICU during 4 years period was prospectively monitored for the first year of life. The cohort consisted of 33 preterm and 67 full-term babies with 60 male and 40 female infants.


RESULTS
The mortality rate in the first year of life of infants with seizures in the neonatal period was 23%. The most common cause of seizures was birth asphyxia for full-term infants and intra-periventricular hemorrhage for preterm infants. Death was more common in pre-term than term infants (p <0,005). Simple regression demonstrated statistically significant associations between death in the first year of life and a cluster of highly associated variables: resuscitation (p<0, 01), mechanical ventilation (p<0,01) and asphyxia (p<0,05). This cluster of variables significantly correlates with: gestational age (p<0, 05), birth weight (p<0, 05) and intracranial hemorrhage (p<0, 05).


CONCLUSIONS
In this cohort of neonates with seizures asphyxia requiring neonatal resuscitation was the primary risk factor for death.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Clinic, UCC Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Suada
S
Heljic
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Clinic, UCC Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sajra
S
Uzicanin
Child Neurology Department, Pediatric Clinic, UCC Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Feriha
F
Catibusic
Child Neurology Department, Pediatric Clinic, UCC Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Smail
S
Zubcevic
D001724:Birth Weight; D002423:Cause of Death; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000401:mortality*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000401:mortality* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000503:physiopathology
NICU; death; full-term infants; neonatal seizures; preterm infants