Neonatal seizures, experience at Children Hospital and Institute of Child Health Multan

Objective: The study was conducted to determine the etiology of seizures in neonates.

Methods: This was a descriptive Cross-sectional study. This study was conducted at neonatal unit of children hospital and institute of child health Multan from June 2012 to April 2013. A total of 285 neonates who presented with seizures were enrolled for the possible causes. First line investigations including blood glucose, serum calcium, serum magnesium, serum sodium, complete blood counts, serum creatinine, liver function tests, ABGs, cerebrospinal fluid examination, cranial ultrasound and EEG were done in all neonates. Second line investigations (blood culture, CT scan, MRI, screening for inborn error of metabolism and Torch antibody titer) were done in selected neonates. The data was analyzed using SPSS-10.

Results: Out of 285 neonates, 175(61.4%) were male and 110(38.6%) female. There were 199(69.8%) term and 86 (30.2%) preterm. Birth asphyxia was the commonest cause of seizures and present in 53.7% neonates and metabolic disturbance in 17.5%. Seizures with unknown etiology were present in 5.3% neonates.

Conclusion: In most of the cases, the causes of neonatal seizures were present. Birth asphyxia was the main etiology identified. However, to establish the exact cause of seizures, more extensive work up is needed.