Higher Epilepsy Risk in Children With Congenital Anomalies

Source: Pediatric neurology

Summary

This study looked at the risk of epilepsy in children with congenital anomalies (CAs), which are birth defects that affect how the body develops. Researchers focused on children with specific types of CAs, such as severe congenital heart defects and gastrointestinal anomalies. They analyzed data from six regions in Europe, covering over 60,000 children with CAs and more than 1.7 million children without any anomalies, tracking them for an average of 5.5 years.

The findings showed that children with CAs are much more likely to be prescribed antiseizure medications (ASMs) compared to those without anomalies. By the age of 5, about 18 out of every 1,000 children with CAs were prescribed ASMs, while only 2 out of every 1,000 children without anomalies received them. The highest risks were found in children with brain-related anomalies, but significant risks were also noted in those with severe heart defects and certain gastrointestinal issues, particularly diaphragmatic hernia.

These results are important because they highlight the need for careful monitoring of children with CAs for signs of epilepsy. Understanding which specific anomalies are linked to a higher risk can help doctors provide better care and early interventions for these children. However, the study has limitations, including that it only looked at children in certain European regions, which may not represent all populations.

Original source