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Background: We examined attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescents with epilepsy and the association with seizure-related and sociodemographic variables., Methods: Strengths and Weakness of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Normal Behaviors rating scale was administered to 122 children with epilepsy and 50 children with asthma, aged 10 to 18 years attending mainstream schools., Results: Twenty-nine (23.7%) adolescents with epilepsy compared with five (10%) with asthma had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (P = 0.037). Adolescents with epilepsy had a significantly higher score in the inattention subscale when compared with those with asthma (-0.25 ± 1.2 vs -0.64 ± 1.07, P = 0.049). Combined subtype was most frequent in the epilepsy group. Oppositional defiant disorders were more prevalent in those having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Psychiatric assistance had only been provided to one third of our patients with epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at the time of study. There was a negative correlation between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder scores and age of seizure onset. A positive correlation was observed between the number of antiepileptic drugs and the inattentive subscale score. The impact of various correlates on individual subtypes was not identical. Independent risk factors associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were medical comorbidities (odds ratio = 12.82, 95% confidence interval 4.44, 37.03, P < 0.0001) and age at seizure onset (odds ratio = 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.56, 0.94, P = 0.016)., Conclusions: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is overrepresented in adolescents with epilepsy; screening for its symptoms should be an integral part of management in adolescents with epilepsy., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study sought to evaluate seizure-related injuries in children under age 18 years with newly diagnosed epilepsy presenting at the Department of Pediatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital, in 2002-2003. All children were interviewed before January 2005. Children with seizure-related injuries were compared with those without injuries for identification of risk factors. One hundred and twenty-two children were surveyed. No patient died during a seizure. Eleven (9%) children manifested seizure-related injuries. Injury occurred at a mean age of 11.6 years, and epilepsy was diagnosed at a mean age of 13.8 years, in those with seizure-induced injuries. Injury occurred at first seizure presentation or upon diagnosis of epilepsy in 72.7% patients. Ten (90.9%) children were not receiving antiepileptic drugs at their time of injury. The mean age of seizure onset was 10.7 years in patients with injuries, and 6.7 years in control subjects (P = 0.007). Seizures resulting in injuries were generalized tonic-clonic in 72.7% (P = 0.045; odds ratio, 3.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.95-14.98). Idiopathic etiology was evident in 54.5%, and normal neurodevelopmental status in 72.7%, of patients with injuries. Age of seizure onset was the only independent variable retained after multivariate analysis. Soft-tissue and dental injuries comprised 91.7% and 75%, respectively, of injuries occurring at home. The risk of seizure-related injuries was substantial, especially before epilepsy was diagnosed, but most of these injuries were minor. These unique data could help in parental counseling., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hospitalizations due to breakthrough seizures were studied in children with newly diagnosed epilepsy to evaluate (1) risk factors associated with such admissions, in particular the withholding of medication and subtherapeutic dose of anticonvulsants, and (2) the impact of the unscheduled hospitalization on subsequent seizure outcome. We recruited patients aged less than 18 years with newly diagnosed epilepsy who presented to the pediatric department in Tuen Mun Hospital between January 2002 and December 2003. Patients with acute seizure-related hospitalization within 1 year after diagnosis were included as cases (n = 36); patients with no such hospitalization were included as controls (n = 86). Treatment effect was analyzed at the last follow-up visit before January 2005. Significant univariate association was observed between seizure-related hospitalization and age at seizure onset (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.84, 1), idiopathic epilepsy (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.15, 0.81), no antiepileptic drug (OR = 3.67, 95% CI 1.51, 8.18), and subtherapeutic doses of antiepileptic drug (OR = 9.9, 95% CI 2.2, 43.8). Independent risk factors of such hospitalizations were etiology of epilepsy, no antiepileptic drug, subtherapeutic dose of antiepileptic drug, and history of febrile convulsion. Sixty-four percent of the cohort was seizure-free. Acute seizure-related hospitalization was associated with less favorable outcome (OR = 3.79, 95% CI 1.48, 9.26).

The aims of the present study are to identify predisposing factors of febrile seizures in influenza A infection and to clarify the special characteristics of febrile seizures in children with influenza A infection. Between January and July 2005, children hospitalized because of febrile seizures and subsequently confirmed influenza A infection were enrolled as subjects. Age-matched control subjects were those admitted as a result of influenza A infection but no febrile seizures (control 1) and children who developed febrile seizures with negative viral studies (control 2). Significant factors for the development of febrile seizures include: history of febrile seizures, family history of seizure disorders, and coexisting gastroenteritis. Independent risk factor for febrile seizures was history of febrile seizures (odds ratio 7.58, 95% confidence interval CI 1.48 to 38.84, P = 0.015). When compared with children who developed febrile seizures with negative virus studies, children who developed febrile seizures in influenza A infection had a significantly higher maximum body temperature, shorter duration of fever before seizure onset, and more frequent occurrence of partial seizures. Current episode represented first seizure in 26.5% of children infected with influenza A as compared with 50% of children whose virus studies were negative (P = 0.04). The findings suggest that effective vaccination may prevent development of febrile seizures, especially in those patients with past history of febrile seizures. Rapid diagnostic testing for influenza infection in the management of complex febrile seizures, especially during influenza season, is cost-effective.

The interrelationship between magnetic resonance imaging findings, types of cerebral palsy, and gestation was studied. We analyzed the magnetic resonance imaging of brain in 122 children with spastic cerebral palsy. Forty-three patients had spastic hemiplegia, 61 had spastic diplegia, and 18 had spastic tetraplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities were observed in 75% of patients. Periventricular leukomalacia accounted for 66% of abnormalities observed in patients with spastic diplegia; other types of brain lesions were uncommon. In patients with spastic tetraplegia, two types of magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities predominated: congenital brain anomalies and term-type brain injuries, 42% and 33% respectively. Types of magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities were more heterogeneous in patients with spastic hemiplegia. Preterm brain injuries (periventricular leukomalacia and posthemorrhagic porencephaly) were observed often in patients born at preterm but were also observed in patients born at term. Term-type brain injuries (term-type border-zone infarct, basal ganglia-thalamic lesion, subcortical leukomalacia, and multicystic encephalomalacia) were observed only in patients born at or near term. We conclude that magnetic resonance imaging findings for patients with spastic cerebral palsy were closely related to types of cerebral palsy and gestation at birth. Magnetic resonance imaging in patients with perinatal brain injury may reflect pathologic changes and is useful in understanding and evaluating cerebral palsy.

The goal of this study is identify early predictors of intractability in childhood epilepsy. A cohort of epileptic children living in the northwest sector of Hong Kong was prospectively identified and monitored. Treatment effect was analyzed at the last follow-up before July 1, 2000. Cases were patients who had an average of at least one unprovoked seizure per month during an observational period of at least 2 years. Controls were children having achieved at least 2 seizure-free years. Strong univariate association was observed between intractability and the following factors: high initial seizure frequency, remote symptomatic etiology, infantile spasms and mixed seizure types, abnormal neurologic status, history of status epilepticus, neonatal seizures, and early breakthrough attacks after treatment initiation. Independent predictors of intractability with multiple regression were abnormal neurodevelopmental status, symptomatic etiology, and more than three seizures in the second 6 months after treatment. Our study suggested that risk of developing intractable epilepsy might be predicted, to some extent, at the early course of illness in children with abnormal neurologic status and lack of early response to treatment.

The present study describes the characteristics of epilepsy in a cohort of Chinese epileptic children. All children with active epilepsy who were under 15 years of age and residing in the catchment area of Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong were monitored. Etiology, seizure types, and epilepsy syndromes were classified according to the recent guidelines of the International League Against Epilepsy. A total of 309 children were recruited into the study. The etiology of epilepsy was idiopathic in 42% of the children, cryptogenic in 16.8%, and remote symptomatic in 40.8%. Perinatal factors were the most frequently found cause of epilepsy. Seizure types were partial in 48.5% of the children and generalized in 46.9%. Epilepsy syndromes could be classified in all but seven patients, with 48.2% localization related and 49.5% generalized. Generalized seizures were more prevalent in children less than 5 years of age. Additional neuroimpairments affected 36% of our epileptic children. Sixty-nine percent of patients were seizure free for more than 1 year. The authors conclude that the International League Against Epilepsy can be applied successfully to a population-based cohort of Chinese epileptic children. A larger, longitudinal epidemiologic study is needed to answer questions concerning the true prevalence, incidence, types, and etiologies in the Chinese population.

Epilepsy occurs in 15-60% of children with cerebral palsy; however, its clinical course is not well defined. This retrospective study reviewed the prevalence, nature, and prognosis of epilepsy in cerebral palsy. Thirty-two of 85 children with cerebral palsy seen in the Neurodevelopmental Clinic in Tuen Mun Hospital between 1990 and 1995 had epilepsy. A control group of 59 epileptic children with normal neurodevelopment status was seen during the same period. Epilepsy most commonly affected patients with spastic tetraplegia and those with mental subnormality. When compared with controls, children with cerebral palsy had a higher incidence of epilepsy with onset within the first year of age (47% vs 10%), history of neonatal seizures (19% vs 3%), status epilepticus (16% vs 1.7%), polytherapy (25% vs 3%), and treatment with second-line antiepileptic drugs (31% vs 6.7%). They had a lower incidence of generalized seizures (28% vs 59%) and remaining seizure free (37% vs 90%). Factors associated with a seizure-free period of 1 year or more in epileptic children with cerebral palsy were normal intelligence, single seizure type, monotherapy, and spastic diplegia. Epilepsy was common in children with cerebral palsy. Further larger studies are required to delineate other prognostic factors.