Risk of recurrence after a first unprovoked seizure in children.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the first episode of unprovoked epileptic seizure in children and assess recurrence risk factors.


METHODS
This was a retrospective observational study, based on the analysis of medical records of patients admitted between 2003 and 2014, with first epileptic seizure, at the pediatric service of a secondary hospital. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 program.


RESULTS
Of the 103 patients, 52.4% were boys. The median age at the first seizure was 59 (1-211) months. About 93% of children were submitted to an electroencephalogram at the first episode and 47% underwent neuroimaging assessment. Treatment with an antiepileptic drug was started in 46% of patients. The recurrence rate was 38% and of these, 80% had the second seizure within six months after the first event. Of the assessed risk factors, there was a statistically significant association between seizure during sleep and recurrence (p=0.004), and between remote symptomatic etiology seizure and occurrence of new seizure (p=0.02). The presence of electroencephalogram abnormalities was also associated with the occurrence of new seizures (p=0.021). No association was found between age, duration of the seizure, and family history of epilepsy with increased risk of recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Most children with a first unprovoked epileptic seizure had no recurrences. The risk of recurrence was higher in patients with seizure occurring during sleep or remote symptomatic ones and those with abnormal electroencephalogram results.
Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Serviço de Pediatria, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Electronic address: catarinammaia@gmail.com.
Catarina
C
Maia
Centro Hospitalar do Médio Ave, Serviço de Pediatria, Famalicão, Portugal.
Ana Raquel
AR
Moreira
Centro Hospitalar do Médio Ave, Serviço de Pediatria, Famalicão, Portugal.
Tânia
T
Lopes
Centro Hospitalar do Médio Ave, Serviço de Pediatria, Famalicão, Portugal.
Cecília
C
Martins
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012640:Seizures / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000927:Anticonvulsants
Child; Convulsão; Criança; First unprovoked seizure; Primeira crise não provocada; Recorrência; Recurrence; Seizures