INJURIES DUE TO SEIZURE IN CHILDREN WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED AND UNTREATED EPILEPSY

S. Al-Karagully, Tariq

	INJURIES DUE TO SEIZURE IN CHILDREN WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED AND UNTREATED EPILEPSY
IRAQI JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Article 1, Volume 5, Issue 1, 2007, Pages 61-65
Author
Tariq S. Al-Karagully
Abstract
Background: There is an increased risk for physical injury during convulsion in children with epilepsy before control or in poorly controlled fits. Objectives: To study the rate and features of physical injuries due to seizure in newly diagnosed children with epilepsy before the use of anti-epileptic drugs. Method: Newly diagnosed and untreated children with epilepsy with at least two unprovoked a febrile fits of any type aged 1-14 years presenting to Al-Kadhimiya Teaching Hospital and the author’s private clinic along 12 months period (April 2004-March 2005) were studied. Information was collected from the parents about whether physical injuries resulted from the seizure. Features of the fits and the injuries with their management were fixed. Results: Eleven children (17.7%) sustained physical injury out of 62 with epilepsy. Nine children (81.8%) had single injury while 2 children (18.2%) had multiple injuries. Eight children (72.7%) sustained their injury at home, 2 at school (18.2%) and one (9.1%) in the garden. Most of the injuries were bruising of head and/or face (63.6%). The most common seizure type causing injury is generalized tonic-clonic (72.7%) and all the children with typical absence seizure did not experience any injury. Conclusion: Physical injuries from seizures are not uncommon, but they are simple. We have to find a balance between seizure precaution and the freedom to enjoy life. Keywords: Injuries, Seizure, Children, Epilepsy.
Keywords
Injuries; seizure; Children; epilepsy

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