COVID-19 in Children with West Syndrome: An Ambispective Study

Objectives To study the course of West syndrome (WS) and coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in children with WS who contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods This ambispective study was conducted at a tertiary-care center in North India between December 2020 and August 2021 after approval from the Institute Ethics Committee. Five children with WS, positive for COVID-19 based on RT-PCR, fulflled the inclusion criteria. Results One child with COVID-19 during the frst wave was retrospectively included while four children (of the 70 children screened) were prospectively enrolled. The median age at onset of epileptic spasms was 7 mo (2 boys), and that at presentation with COVID-19 was 18.5 mo. Three had underlying acquired structural etiology. Three were in remission following standard therapy, while two had ongoing spasms at the time of COVID-19 illness. During the illness, two of those in remission continued to be in remission while one child had a relapse. The children with ongoing epileptic spasms had variable course [one had persistent spasms and other had transient cessation lasting 3 wk from day 2 of COVID-19 illness, but electroencephalography (on day 8 of COVID-19 illness) continued to show hypsarrhythmia]. Fever was the most typical symptom (and sometimes the only symptom) of COVID-19, with a duration ranging from 1–8 d. Two children had moderate COVID-19 illness requiring hospitalization, while the rest had a mild illness. All the afected children had complete recovery from COVID-19. Conclusion The severity of COVID-19 illness in children with WS is often mild, while the subsequent course of WS is variable.

Levetiracetam plus Oxcarbazepine Combination Treatment Downregulates Serum Multidrug Resistance Protein 1 Levels and Upregulates Neuropeptide Y Levels in Children with Epilepsy

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in predicting the efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) plus oxcarbazepine (OXC) treatment administered to children with epilepsy and to determine their prognosis. Overall, 193 children with epilepsy admitted to the hospital were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups according to different treatment methods: group A (n = 106, treated with LEV plus OXC combination) and group B (n = 87, treated with OXC only). After treatment, compared with group B, group A exhibited a remarkably higher total effective rate and a significantly lower total adverse reaction rate. Areas under the curve for MDR1 and NPY for predicting ineffective treatment were 0.867 and 0.834, whereas those for predicting epilepsy recurrence were 0.916 and 0.829, respectively. Electroencephalography abnormalities, intracranial hemorrhage, neonatal convulsion, premature delivery, and MDR1 and NPY levels were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in children with epilepsy. Serum MDR1 and NPY levels exhibited a high predictive value for early epilepsy diagnosis, treatment efficacy assessment, and prognostication in children with epilepsy treated with LEV plus OXC combination.

O uso do canabidiol em crianças com epilepsia resistente a medicamento e a diminuição na frequência das crises: revisão rápida / The use of cannabidiol in children with drug-resistant epilepsy and the decrease in the frequency of seizures: quick review

Uso de canabidiol (CDB) medicinal presente no óleo de canabis. Indicação: Tratamento de crianças portadoras de epilepsia refratária resistente a medicação e síndromes graves decorrentes. Pergunta: O uso do canabidiol em crianças com epilepsia resistente a medicamentos apresentaria diminuição na frequência de crises convulsivas? Objetivo: Investigar a eficácia e a segurança do canabidiol, em comparação a placebo, na manutenção da remissão em crianças com epilepsia refratária. Métodos: Revisão rápida de revisões sistemáticas, por meio de buscas bibliográficas realizadas nas bases PUBMED, SCOPUS, BVS, Cochrane Library. Foram utilizadas estratégias de buscas com vocabulário padronizado e avaliação da qualidade metodológica usando o checklist AMSTAR 2. Resultados: Foram selecionadas duas revisões sistemáticas que atendiam aos critérios de elegibilidade. O CDB quando comparado ao placebo reduziu 50% das convulsões para epilepsia refrataria (RR 1.69 [1.20 ­ 2.36]), para a síndrome de Lennox-Gastaut o RR foi 2.98 (IC 95%, 1.83 - 4.85) e para a síndrome de Dravet o RR foi 2.26 (IC 95% ,1.38 - 3.70). O CDB pode resultar em uma diminuição no apetite em dosagens maiores (RR = 2,10, IC 95% [0,96­4,62], embora não apresente diferença de efeito dos grupos comparadores. Conclusão: Duas revisões sistemáticas recentes o CDB quando comparado ao placebo reduziu 50% das convulsões para epilepsia refrataria e síndromes graves. Entretanto, existem poucos ensaios clínicos publicados na área

: Use of cannabidiol (CBD) present in cannabis oil. Indication: Treatment of children with drug-resistant refractory epilepsy and severe syndromes resulting. Question: Would the use of cannabidiol in children with drug-resistant epilepsy lead to a decrease in seizure frequency? Objective: to investigate the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol, compared to placebos, in maintaining remission in children with refractory epilepsy. Methods: Rapid review of systematic reviews, through a bibliographical search carried out in the PUBMED, SCOPUS, BVS, Cochrane Library databases. Predefined search strategies were followed, and the methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the AMSTAR 2 tool. Results: Two systematic reviews were selected, which met the eligibility criteria. CBD when compared to placebo reduce 50% of seizures for refractory epilepsy (RR 1.69, IC 95% [1.20 ­ 2.36]), for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome the RR was foi 2.98 (IC 95%, 1.83 - 4.85) and for Dravet Syndrome o RR FOI 2.26 (IC 95% ,1.38 - 3.70). CBD may result in appetite decrease using high doses (RR = 2.10, 95% IC [0.96­ 4.62], with no statistical difference. Conclusion: Two recent systematics, CBD, when compared to placebo, presented 50% of seizures for refractory epilepsy and severe syndromes. However, there are few clinical trials published in the area

The correlation between post-traumatic growth and sleep quality among parents of children with epilepsy / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To explore the correlation between post-traumatic growth (PTG) and sleep quality among parents of children with epilepsy.@*Methods@#In this cross-sectional study, 191 parents of children with epilepsy were selected from Shangdong Province Third Hospital by convenience sampling method, the questionnaire included socio-demographic questionnaire, the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).@*Results@#The score of PTGI and PSQI of parents of children with epilepsy were (28.63±10.85) and (5.97±3.72), respectively. The score of PTGI and PSQI in parents' health status with health, general, worse was (29.44±10.66), (25.28±11.26), (19.00±7.81) and (5.57±3.51), (7.23±3.53), (15.00±1.73), the difference was significant (F=3.07, 12.69, P<0.05 or 0.01). The score of PSQI in parents with or without major negative events was (8.50±4.16), (5.67±3.57), the difference was significant (t=-3.12, P<0.01). There was a negative correlation between PTGI and PSQI among parents of children with epilepsy (r=-0.159, P<0.05). Hierarchical regression analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the dimension of PTG appreciation life and the sleep quality of parents (B=0.455, P<0.01).@*Conclusions@#Parents with epilepsy have normal sleep quality, but at the same time have a certain level of PTG, and the level of PTG appreciated by parents is related to their sleep quality. Therefore, by promoting parents with epilepsy to actively appreciate life, it helps to alleviate their sleep problems.

The correlation between post-traumatic growth and sleep quality among parents of children with epilepsy / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To explore the correlation between post-traumatic growth (PTG) and sleep quality among parents of children with epilepsy. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 191 parents of children with epilepsy were selected from Shangdong Province Third Hospital by convenience sampling method, the questionnaire included socio- demographic questionnaire, the Post- Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results The score of PTGI and PSQI of parents of children with epilepsy were (28.63±10.85) and (5.97±3.72), respectively. The score of PTGI and PSQI in parents'health status with health, general, worse was (29.44±10.66), (25.28±11.26), (19.00±7.81) and (5.57 ± 3.51), (7.23 ± 3.53), (15.00 ± 1.73), the difference was significant (F=3.07, 12.69, P<0.05 or 0.01). The score of PSQI in parents with or without major negative events was (8.50±4.16), (5.67±3.57), the difference was significant (t =-3.12, P<0.01). There was a negative correlation between PTGI and PSQI among parents of children with epilepsy (r=-0.159, P<0.05). Hierarchical regression analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the dimension of PTG appreciation life and the sleep quality of parents (B=0.455, P＜0.01). Conclusions Parents with epilepsy have normal sleep quality, but at the same time have a certain level of PTG, and the level of PTG appreciated by parents is related to their sleep quality. Therefore, by promoting parents with epilepsy to actively appreciate life, it helps to alleviate their sleep problems.

Burden of care of Filipino children with epilepsy and its impact on quality of life, anxiety and depressive symptoms among caregivers

Background @#Caregiver burden and its impact on the quality of life is as important as determining the quality of life of children with epilepsy as these factors inl uence each other as well as the outcome of these children.@*Objectives @#The primary objective of the study was to determine the association between caregiver burden and quality of life as well as anxiety and depressive symptoms among caregivers of Filipino children with epilepsy. Also, the study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of caregiver burden, impaired quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in an ambulatory care setting.@*Methodology @#In this cross-sectional survey, adult caregivers accompanying their pediatric patients with epilepsy at a single tertiary center were recruited. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. The participants completed questionnaires for caregiver burden, quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.@*Results @#Fifty-three caregivers participated with a mean age of 38 years. Most of them were females, married, unemployed, and at least college level. The mean age of their patients was 9.4 years and 71.7% of patients were on a single anti-epileptic drug. Lower educational level was less likely associated with caregiver burden. Although impaired quality of life and depressive symptoms were more likely associated with caregiver burden, this association did not reach statistical signii cance.@*Conclusion@#The prevalence rate of caregiver burden, impaired quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were 24.5%, 22.6%, 28.3%, and 9.4% respectively, among caregivers of Filipino children with epilepsy at a single tertiary center. Lower educational level was the only characteristic signii cantly associated with lesser odds of having caregiver burden

Effect of intervention on self-esteem level in children with epilepsy based on cross theoretical model / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of (the transtheoretical model of change,TTM) on the level of self-esteem in children with epilepsy (EP). Methods 65 cases of EP were divided into intervention group with 31 cases and control group with 34 cases by random number table. The two groups were treated with anti EP drug treatment and nursing, the use of the change stage and the Self- Esteem Scale (SES) for the baseline assessment, the intervention group according to the assessment results to develop individual TTM intervention measures, the control group received general health education and psychological care, for a period of 6 months. Two groups of patients were followed up for 6 months after hospital discharge, and the distribution of the changes in the changes of the patients and the change of self-esteem scores were analyzed. Results Before the intervention, two groups in the intention stage, preparation stage, operation stage and maintenance stage self-esteem score comparison, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05);6 months after the intervention, the change of phase of self-esteem, the intervention group respectively were (22.61+2.88) points, (22.78+1.56) points, (24.03+1.5) points, (24.39+1.60) points, in the control group were (21.15+2.44) points, (21.39+2.21) points, (22.26+2.33) points, (22.01+2.31) points, with significant differences between the two groups (t=1.12-3.38, P<0.01). Two groups from the former intention phase to maintain the stage of change in the number of children were increased, the intervention group was better than the control group, the difference was statistically significant (χ2=15.00, P<0.01). Conclusions Using TTM as the guidance can improve the self-esteem of children with EP.

Calidad de vida en niños y adolescentes con epilepsia / Quality of life in children and adolescents with epilepsy

Introducción: La epilepsia es una enfermedad crónica que se origina en el cerebro debido a descargas neuronales anormales. Este padecimiento no respeta geografía, raza, sexo o condición social, teniendo en ocasiones graves consecuencias psicológicas, sociales y económicas. Objetivos: Evaluar la calidad de vida de niños y adolescentes con epilepsia y describir factores que pueden incidir en la calidad de vida de estos pacientes. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en el cual se emplearon técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas como el cuestionario y la entrevista en profundidad. Se trabajó con 22 pacientes comprendidos entre las edades pediátricas de 6 a 13 años que asisten a la consulta de neurología del Hospital William Soler. Resultados: se demostró que el nivel de calidad de vida que predomina en los niños y adolescentes con epilepsia estudiados es bueno, se evidenció que la categoría calidad de vida es el resultado de la compleja interacción entre lo social y lo psicológico y que factores tales como el tipo de epilepsia, edad de debut y tiempo transcurrido desde la última crisis, pueden incidir en la calidad de vida de estos pacientes. Conclusiones: la calidad de vida que predomina en los niños y adolescentes con epilepsia estudiados es buena. El aprendizaje es el parámetro de mayor afectación en estos pacientes, mientras que la autonomía resultó ser el de mejor resultado(AU)

Introduction: Epilepsy is a chronic disease that originates in the brain due to abnormal neuronal discharges. This ailment does not respect geography, race, gender or social condition, sometimes with severe psychological, social and economic consequences. Objectives: To evaluate the quality of life of children and adolescents with epilepsy and to describe factors that may affect the quality of life of these patients. Methods: It was conducted a descriptive study of cross section in which quantitative and qualitative techniques were used, like the questionnaire and the interview in depth. We worked with 22 patients ranging from the pediatric ages of 6 to 13 years attending the consultation of neurology of William Soler Hospital. Results: it was demonstrated that the level of quality of life that predominates in the studied children and adolescents with epilepsy is good, it was proved that the category quality of life is the result of the complex interaction between the social and the psychological and factors such as the type of epilepsy, age of debut and time elapsed since the last crisis, may affect in the quality of life of these patients. Conclusions: the quality of life that predominates in the studied children and adolescents with epilepsy is good. Learning is the parameter most affected in these patients, while autonomy proved to be the best result(AU)

Children with Epilepsy: Quality of Life and Management / 아동간호학회지

The purpose of this article is to describe the overview of current medical treatments of childhood epilepsy in Korea and to review several recent nursing researches related to quality of life problems, especially psychological functioning in children with epilepsy and the stress of the family. The prognosis of childhood epilepsy has been improved considerably and about 80% of patients can now be expected to achieve complete seizure control by the antiepileptic drug treatment. Even for the intractable epilepsy, with the combination of ketogenic diet program and antiepileptic drug therapy or surgical treatment, the prognosis became very much better than before. The majority of research has reported that children with epilepsy were experiencing quality of life problems. They are at risk for impaired functioning, compared to either general population controls or to other chronic illness groups such as asthma and diabetes. The ultimate goal of providing care to children with epilepsy is to control seizures while facilitating an optimal quality of life for the child as well as the family. Recommendations are included for future research and intervention programs for children, parents and our society.

A Clinical Study on Intelligence, Individuality and Behavior Characteristics in Epilepsy Children with Sub-clinical Seizure / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the intelligence, individuality and behavior characteristics of epilepsy children with sub-clinical seizure. Methods The intelligence, individuality and behavior characteristics of the patients and normal age-matched children were evaluated by WISC, EPQ and CBCL. Results Compared with normal age-matched children, the code and number of WISC were obviously decreased in the children with epilepsy (P