Etiology and Short-term Outcome of First Seizure in Hospitalized Infants.

We enrolled 75 consecutive infants presenting with history of first seizure at a tertiary-care hospital in New Delhi, India. Clinical and biochemical work-up for etiology, and electroencephalography were performed in all infants. Developmental assessment was done 3-month after discharge. 72% had generalized seizures, and fever was the commonest co-morbidity (57.3%). 68% had provoked seizures, mainly due to hypocalcemia (34.3%) or neuro-infections (29.3%). Seven (9.3%) infants died during hospital stay; mostly those with neuro-infections. 13 (20.3%) infants had developmental delay.

Benign Infantile Seizures.

Background: Benign infantile seizures are a common form of idiopathic seizures in infants, but infrequently reported. Case characteristics: Four cases identified over a 9-month period. Observation: All had a cluster of focal seizures, normal development and no abnormality on hematological and biochemical work-up. Outcome: No recurrence of seizures over a follow-up of 5 to 9 months. Message: Identification of this syndrome has important therapeutic and prognostic implications.