Incidence and etiology of neonatal seizures

ABSTRACT

To determine the incidence of seizures in admitted neonates and establish the etiological diagnosis. During the study period, 4.8% [97 cases] cases among admitted neonates, having seizures either at presentation or during their stay in the hospital, were included. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy was found to be the commonest cause [44.3%] of neonatal seizures, followed by hypoglycemia [19.5%] and hypocalcemia [12.3%] cases. Subtle seizures [41.2%] were the most frequently observed type of seizure, followed by tonic [32.9%] and clonic [20.6%] seizures. Nearly 55% cases had seizures during the first 48 hours of life. Cases of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy were associated with higher mortality [39.5%] as compared to cases with metabolic seizures. Neonatal seizures were found as a common neurological disorder and presented most commonly as subtle type. Birth asphyxia was the commonest aetiology of neonatal seizures, followed closely by the metabolic seizures