Sarah J MacEachern1, Sabrina D'Alfonso2, Roman J McDonald3, Nancy Thornton4, Nils D Forkert5, Jeffrey R Buchhalter6. 1. Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta. 2. Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta. 3. Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta. 4. Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta; Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta. 5. Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta. 6. Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta. Electronic address: Jeffrey.Buchhalter@albertahealthservices.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: After a seizure, individuals with epilepsy have reported diverse symptoms in the postictal period, especially motor and cognitive dysfunction. However, these phenomena have not been well characterized in children, and their impact on patient well-being is not understood. We hypothesized that in a subset of epilepsy patients, postictal symptoms would affect their ability to return to normal childhood activities. METHODS: To test our hypothesis, a survey-based approach was used to characterize the type, frequency, and duration, as well as the impact of these symptoms on the ability of these children to return to their normal activities. RESULTS: In this prospective study, data were analyzed from 208 patients seen in the pediatric neurology outpatient clinic at the Alberta Children's Hospital. We found that 86% (179 out of 208) of respondents reported postictal symptoms, with the most common symptom category being fatigue, sleepiness, and/or tiredness (90%; 161 of 179). The greatest impact resulted from weakness or being unable to move normally, which prevented 78% of those affected (71 of 91) from returning to normal activities after a seizure. Children who had focal seizures were more likely to experience postictal fatigue, sleepiness, or tiredness (P = 0.01; Bonferroni corrected), but no other postictal symptoms were significantly associated with a specific seizure type or epilepsy syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study further our understanding of the frequency, type, and duration of symptoms experienced in the postictal period and how these symptoms impact children with epilepsy. It is clear that postictal phenomena often occur after epileptic seizures and have a significant impact on the lives of children with epilepsy.
BACKGROUND: After a seizure, individuals with epilepsy have reported diverse symptoms in the postictal period, especially motor and cognitive dysfunction. However, these phenomena have not been well characterized in children, and their impact on patient well-being is not understood. We hypothesized that in a subset of epilepsypatients, postictal symptoms would affect their ability to return to normal childhood activities. METHODS: To test our hypothesis, a survey-based approach was used to characterize the type, frequency, and duration, as well as the impact of these symptoms on the ability of these children to return to their normal activities. RESULTS: In this prospective study, data were analyzed from 208 patients seen in the pediatric neurology outpatient clinic at the Alberta Children's Hospital. We found that 86% (179 out of 208) of respondents reported postictal symptoms, with the most common symptom category being fatigue, sleepiness, and/or tiredness (90%; 161 of 179). The greatest impact resulted from weakness or being unable to move normally, which prevented 78% of those affected (71 of 91) from returning to normal activities after a seizure. Children who had focal seizures were more likely to experience postictal fatigue, sleepiness, or tiredness (P = 0.01; Bonferroni corrected), but no other postictal symptoms were significantly associated with a specific seizure type or epilepsy syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study further our understanding of the frequency, type, and duration of symptoms experienced in the postictal period and how these symptoms impact children with epilepsy. It is clear that postictal phenomena often occur after epilepticseizures and have a significant impact on the lives of children with epilepsy.
Authors: Sarah J MacEachern; Jonathan D Santoro; Kara J Hahn; Zachary A Medress; Ximena Stecher; Matthew D Li; Jin S Hahn; Kristen W Yeom; Nils D Forkert Journal: Neuroradiology Date: 2019-12-18 Impact factor: 2.804
Authors: Jingwen Xu; Maria Milagros Galardi; Brian Pok; Kishan K Patel; Charlie W Zhao; John P Andrews; Shobhit Singla; Cian P McCafferty; Li Feng; Eric T Musonza; Adam J Kundishora; Abhijeet Gummadavelli; Jason L Gerrard; Mark Laubach; Nicholas D Schiff; Hal Blumenfeld Journal: J Neurosci Date: 2020-08-21 Impact factor: 6.709