To study the incidence, etiology and EEG profile of neonatal seizures: a prospective observational study from India.

AIM: To study the incidence, etiology and electroencephalography (EEG) profile of neonatal seizures and also to study the correlation between clinical picture and EEG appearance.

TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective observational cohort study. Study duration: September 2011 to April 2013. Inclusion and exclusion: Seizures within first 28 d of life and seizures documented by doctors.

POPULATION: Neonates admitted in intensive care unit: intramural (4412) and extramural (1900) admissions (all together 6312).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

One hundred and seventy-two neonates with seizures were enrolled. All the neonates were evaluated with necessary investigation, ultrasound head and CT scan. All the neonates underwent EEG as early as possible with neonatal stabilization. The etiology of neonatal seizures, CT scan and ultrasound head, characteristic of the EEG and neonatal mortality were noted.

RESULTS

The incidence of neonatal seizure was 0.77% in the intramural and 7.3% among the extramural neonates. The incidence of seizures in term newborn was 0.7% and in preterm was 1.1%. The most common cause of neonatal seizure was hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) followed by hypocalcemia. The predominant seizure type was multifocal (51%) followed by subtle seizure (43%). There was an EEG abnormality in 72% of the total EEG with varied patterns. The mortality rate in the cohort was 15% with HIE being the most common cause.

CONCLUSION

Most common cases of neonatal seizure were HIE and with the most common type being multifocal. EEG was abnormal in the majority of the neonates with various pattern of abnormality.