Prognosis and predictive factors of partial seizures in children.

Our objective was to determine factors that influence the prognosis of cryptogenic partial seizures in children. In total, 233 patients were included in a hospital-based observational survey. Clinical characteristics of patients were reviewed and analyzed. Patients were characterized as having poor control of their seizures, or as having a > or = 50% decrease in their number of seizures. Student t test or Pearson's chi-square test were used to determine the differences between the groups with regard to clinical data. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the independent effect of each risk factor. Complete seizure control was achieved in 71.7% of patients; improved seizure control was achieved in 13.3%; and poor seizure control was observed in 15.0%. Patients who had poor control of their seizures had a significantly younger age of onset (P = 0.03). In addition, chi-square analysis revealed that these patients had a higher seizure frequency (P < 0.001), and that seizure control was dependent on seizure type (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that an initial seizure frequency of >3 per month (odds ratio [OR], 3.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-6.88), age of onset (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.0-1.31), and seizure type (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.22-1.01) were predictors of poor seizure control.