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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Epilepsy in Tanzanian children: Association with perinatal events and other risk factors
Epilepsia, Volume 53, No. 4, Year 2012
Notification
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Description
Purpose: To define the prevalence and risk factors for epilepsy in children in a rural district of Tanzania by conducting a community-based case - control study. Methods: Children aged 6-14 years with active epilepsy (at least two unprovoked seizures in the last 5 years) were identified in a cross-sectional survey in Tanzania. Cases were compared with age-matched controls. Key Findings: Overall 112 children with epilepsy (CWE) were identified; the unadjusted prevalence of epilepsy was 2.91 per 1,000 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.4-3.5). The main seizure types were focal motor with secondary generalization in 73 (65.2%) of 112 and generalized convulsive seizures in 19 (16.9%) of 112. Adverse perinatal events were present in 16 (14%) of 112 cases but in no controls. In multivariate analysis, epilepsy was associated with number of parents who were resident at home (odds ratio [OR] 6.2 for none vs. both resident, 95% CI 1.5-25.5), history of adverse perinatal events (OR 14.9, 95% CI 1.4-151.3), family history of afebrile seizures (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.0-27.5), and poor scholastic attainment (OR 8.6, 95% CI 4.0-18.4). Electroencephalography (EEG) and computed tomography (CT) scans were abnormal in 44 (44%) of 101 and 26 (29%) of 90 cases, respectively. Overall, 98 (88%) of 112 cases had focal features on assessment. Significance: In this study from sub-Saharan Africa, CWE predominantly had focal features that support the suggestion that most epilepsy in this region has a symptomatic etiology. Adverse perinatal events were strongly associated with epilepsy. Genetic and social factors may also be important. Epilepsy may be preventable in a significant proportion of children with better antenatal and perinatal care. ©2012 International League Against Epilepsy.
Authors & Co-Authors
Burton, K.
Unknown Affiliation
Rogathe, Jane J.
Unknown Affiliation
Whittaker, Roger Graham
Unknown Affiliation
Mankad, Kshitij
Unknown Affiliation
Hunter, Ewan
Unknown Affiliation
Burton, Matthew J.
Unknown Affiliation
Todd, Jim E.
Unknown Affiliation
Neville, Brian G.R.
Unknown Affiliation
Walker, Richard William
Unknown Affiliation
Newton, Charles R.J.C.
Unknown Affiliation
Statistics
Citations: 53
Authors: 10
Affiliations: 9
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/j.1528-1167.2011.03395.x
e-ISSN:
15281167
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Case-Control Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Tanzania