Epilepsy Prevalence in the 0-17 Age Group in Trabzon, Turkey

Emine Çan; Gamze Çan; Asuman Yavuzyilmaz; Ayşe Aksoy; Müjgan F. Sönmez; Şükrü Özgün; Murat Topbaş

IJ Pediatrics

The Scientific Journal of Growth & Development Research Center

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Epilepsy Prevalence in the 0-17 Age Group in Trabzon, Turkey

Author(s):

Emine Çan¹,

Gamze Çan²,

Asuman Yavuzyilmaz³,

Ayşe Aksoy⁴,

Müjgan F. Sönmez⁴,

Şükrü Özgün³,

Murat Topbaş^1,*

1Bayburt Province Health Directory, Trabzon, Turkey

2Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Turkey

3Trabzon Province Health Directory, Turkey

4Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Turkey

IJ Pediatrics:Vol. 22, issue 3; 344-350

Published online:Sep 30, 2012

Article type:Research Article

Received:Jan 07, 2011

Accepted:Apr 01, 2012

How to Cite:Emine ÇanGamze ÇanAsuman YavuzyilmazAyşe AksoyMüjgan F. SönmezŞükrü ÖzgünMurat Topbaşet al.Epilepsy Prevalence in the 0-17 Age Group in Trabzon, Turkey.Iran J Pediatr.22(3):344-350.

Abstract

Objective: Epilepsy is a most common serious neurological disorder and is one of the world’s most prevalent non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of epilepsy in 0–17 year old children in Trabzon, Turkey.
Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological investigation was performed in two phases, a screening phase and a confirmation of the diagnosis phase. The gold standard was a clinical investigation and neurological examination. The diagnosis of epilepsy followed clinical guidelines proposed by the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE). The chi-square test was used in analysis of the results and P-value <0.05 was calculated.
Findings: The prevalence per 1000 participants of epilepsy was 8.6 (5.9–11.4; 95%CI). We detected 37 cases (18 males and 19 females) of epilepsy. The male/female ratio was 0.95. This study showed an increased risk for epilepsy with low socioeconomic level, a history of postpartum seizure, meningitis, head trauma, febrile convulsion and family history of epilepsy. More than one seizure type was present in 15 (40.5%) of epileptic children. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were determined in 24 patients (64.9%) and absence type in 9 (24.3%). It was found that 25.0% of children with epilepsy had never visited the school at the time the study was performed due to the disease and attendant seizures.
Conclusion: The prevalence of epilepsy in Trabzon is low compared to other parts of Turkey and other developing countries.

Keywords

Epilepsy

Prevalence

Risk Factor

Neurological Disorder

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