A new Canadian study has documented the frequency, types and risk factors for injuries caused by seizures for people with childhood onset epilepsy.
It has found that there is a need for greater attention to be paid to the persistent issue of injuries arising from seizures among children with epilepsy.
The study which is published in the latest edition of Seizure monitored patients with all types of epilepsy, except childhood absence, and 472 individuals whose epilepsy began between 1977-1985 were involved.
Key findings:
- Injury due to a seizure occurs in 11% of people with childhood onset epilepsy.
- Injury is more common in those with persistent or intractable epilepsy.
- Injury type: laceration 30%, fracture 19%, broken teeth 14%, concussion 10%, burn 5%, and other 25%. 'Other' includes near-drownings, shoulder dislocations and severe eye injuries
- The majority of injuries occur many years after the initial diagnosis. Only four injuries occurred with the first seizure
- Most injuries occur during normal daily activity and are not easily preventable.
The researchers concluded: "During around 24 years of follow-up, one out of ten patients with childhood onset epilepsy had a serious injury as the result of a seizure. Most injuries occurred years after the initial diagnosis and were more common when seizures were more frequent. The only practical solution to injury prevention is better seizure control."
Source: http://www.seizure-journal.com/article/S1059-1311%2815%2900059-X/abstract