Tetinou Djifack Francklin
Objectives: Epilepsy etiologies in underdeveloped countries are much more symptomatic, compare to in developed country where they are largely idiopathic. Several comorbidities occur on epileptic children due to brain damage and antiepileptic drugs. These comorbidities worsen the prognosis of these children on varying degrees. The main comorbidities are mental retardation, psychiatric disorders and malnutrition.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we interviewed a consecutive sample of 159 children with epilepsy and their parents at the Yaoundé Gyneco-Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital. The study was conducted from January 15 to May 14, 2019. The data were recorded and analyzed by the WHO anthro software with which we calculated patient z-scores and Epi info version 3.5.3. Chi 2 and Fischer Exact tests were used to measure the association between epileptic syndromes and comorbidities on the one hand, and between the etiologies of epilepsy and comorbidities. Logistical regression has eliminated the confounding factors. The Odd Ratio expressed with its 95% confidence interval was used to determine the degree of association between variables.
Results: The average age was 6 years. Anoxo-ischemic encephalopathy was the main cause of epilepsy (28%), followed by status epilepticus (6.9) and severe malaria (6,3). Mental retardation was the main comorbidity (52%) followed by cerebral palsy (31%), attention deficit hyperactivity (30%), malnutrition (24%), and depression (9.4%). Malnutrition was most pronounced in children with epileptic encephalopathy (34%). West syndrome increased by 22 and 18 the risk of having mental retardation (P -0.000), and cerebral palsy (P - 0,000), respectively.
Conclusion: The main etiology of childhood epilepsy is anoxo-ischemic encephalopathy. Comorbidities in children with epilepsy are a real public health problem with mental retardation, attention deficit hyperactivity, malnutrition and depression as the main comorbidities. We recommend that the Ministry of Public Health combat perinatal asphyxia, which is the main cause of epilepsy, by strengthening the national health policy focused on emergency obstetric and neonatal care.
Biography:
Tetinou Francklin Cameroonian is a medical doctor who is interested in neurosurgery, neurotrauma and Neuropediatrie. He works are Research Department in Association of Future African Neurosurgeons and aspiring neurosurgeons.
28th International Conference on Clinical Pediatrics; London, UK- April 15-16, 2020.
Abstract Citation:
Tetinou Djifack Francklin, Etiology and comorbidities in epileptic children at the yaounde gyneco-obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Clinical Pediatrics 2020, 28th International Conference on Clinical Pediatrics; London, UK- April 15-16, 2020 (https://clinicalpediatrics.conferenceseries.com/abstract/2020/etiology-and-comorbidities-on-epileptics-children-at-the-yaounde-gyneco-obstetrics-and-pediatrics-hopital)
