Abstract
AIM: This retrospective study describes the prognosis of full-term newborns with refractory neonatal seizures, comparing the need for treatment with two versus three or more antiepileptic drugs.
METHODS: We reviewed our database (January 2002-December 2007) to include newborns with refractory neonatal seizures and abnormal electroencephalogram. Group A consisted of 17 newborns with two antiepileptic drugs. Group B consisted of 29 newborns with three or more antiepileptic drugs. Outcome was determined at 2 years of age using the Dutch Bayley Scales of Infant Development or a neurodevelopmental classification scheme.
RESULTS: Group A and group B were comparable regarding to a variety of demographic and aetiologic factors. Thirteen newborns died before 2 years of age and one was lost to follow-up. Normal development at 2 years of age was found in 50% and 5% for group A and B, respectively. Severe neurodevelopmental delay at 2 years of age was found in 30% and 68% for group A and B, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The number of antiepileptic drugs probably reflects increased seizure burden and is--in that way--related to poor outcome. This may be useful information for early prediction of adverse neurological outcome in the first days of life.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | e173-e178 |
| Journal | Acta Paediatrica |
| Volume | 101 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use
- Child Development/drug effects
- Child, Preschool
- Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Epilepsy, Benign Neonatal/drug therapy
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Infant, Newborn
- Male
- Nervous System/growth & development
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Seizures/drug therapy
- Term Birth
- Treatment Outcome