Chandrashekar M. A, Punith S2, Ram J. K
BACKGROUND Neonatal seizures typically depict a significant underlying neurological disease. The recognition of aetiology and clinical profile for neonatal seizure is often helpful with respect to prognosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to know the clinical profile of neonatal seizures and to assess the role of biochemical abnormality in a neonatal seizure. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a prospective observational study. Total 118 patients, admitted in the neonatology unit of PESIMSR, presenting with neonatal seizures between January 2016 to June 2017 were included in the study. RESULTS Neonatal seizure incidence was noted in 11.3% of the hospitalised neonates, with subtle seizure being the most frequently seen type. HIE (Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy) was the most common cause (58.47%) observed. Total 50.85% seizures were observed on the first day. Primary biochemical abnormalities occurred in 7.6% of the cases and secondary in 56.8%. Among the primary biochemical abnormalities leading to neonatal seizures, hypoglycaemia in 4.2% of cases was noted to be the commonest abnormality followed by hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia in 1.7% each. CONCLUSION Neonatal seizure is a commonly seen disorder in hospitalized new born with incidence of 11.3%. The most common aetiology being HIE followed by sepsis and biochemical abnormalities. Subtle seizures were most common type observed.
