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Samia P, Hassell J, Hudson JA, Murithi MK, Kariuki SM, Newton CR, Wilmshurst JM. Epilepsy diagnosis and management of children in Kenya: review of current literature. Res Rep Trop Med 2019; 10:91-102. [PMID: 31388319 PMCID: PMC6607977 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s201159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The growing impact of non-communicable diseases in low- to middle-income countries makes epilepsy a key research priority. We evaluated peer-reviewed published literature on childhood epilepsy specific to Kenya to identify knowledge gaps and inform future priorities. Methodology: A literature search utilizing the terms “epilepsy” OR “seizure” as exploded subject headings AND “Kenya” was conducted. Relevant databases were searched, generating 908 articles. After initial screening to remove duplications, irrelevant articles, and publications older than 15 years, 154 papers remained for full-article review, which identified 35 publications containing relevant information. Data were extracted from these reports on epidemiology, etiology, clinical features, management, and outcomes. Results: The estimated prevalence of lifetime epilepsy in children was 21–41 per 1,000, while the incidence of active convulsive epilepsy was 39–187 cases per 100,000 children per year. The incidence of acute seizures was 312–879 per 100,000 children per year and neonatal seizures 3,950 per 100,000 live births per year. Common risk factors for both epilepsy and acute seizures included adverse perinatal events, meningitis, malaria, febrile seizures, and family history of epilepsy. Electroencephalography abnormalities were documented in 20%–41% and neurocognitive comorbidities in more than half. Mortality in children admitted with acute seizures was 3%–6%, and neurological sequelae were identified in 31% following convulsive status epilepticus. Only 7%–29% children with epilepsy were on antiseizure medication. Conclusion: Active convulsive epilepsy is a common condition among Kenyan children, remains largely untreated, and leads to extremely poor outcomes. The high proportion of epilepsy attributable to preventable causes, in particular neonatal morbidity, contributes significantly to the lifetime burden of the condition. This review reaffirms the ongoing need for better public awareness of epilepsy as a treatable disease and for national-level action that targets both prevention and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Samia
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jane Hassell
- Gertrude's Children's Hospital, Child development Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | - Symon M Kariuki
- Kemri-Wellcome Trust Collaborative Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Charles R Newton
- Kemri-Wellcome Trust Collaborative Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Jo M Wilmshurst
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
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Kariuki SM, Abubakar A, Kombe M, Kazungu M, Odhiambo R, Stein A, Newton CRJC. Prevalence, risk factors and behavioural and emotional comorbidity of acute seizures in young Kenyan children: a population-based study. BMC Med 2018; 16:35. [PMID: 29510713 PMCID: PMC5840716 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-018-1021-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute symptomatic seizures and febrile seizures are common in children admitted to hospitals in Africa and may be markers of brain dysfunction. They may be associated with behavioural and emotional problems, but there are no published community-based studies in Africa. METHODS We screened 7047 children aged 1-6 years (randomly sampled from 50,000 in the community) for seizures (using seven questions) and invited those who screened positive and a proportion of negatives for a clinical assessment. Risk factors were identified using a parental questionnaire. Behavioural and emotional problems were examined using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) in 3273 children randomly selected from 7047. Generalised linear models with appropriate link functions were used to determine risk factors and associations between behavioural or emotional problems and acute seizures. Sobel-Goodman mediation tests were used to investigate if the association between acute seizures and CBCL scores was mediated by co-diagnosis of epilepsy. RESULTS Acute seizures were identified in 429 (6.1%) preschool children: 3.2% (95% confidence interval CI: 2.9-3.5%) for symptomatic seizures, and 2.9% (95% CI: 2.6-3.3%) for febrile seizures. Risk factors for acute seizures included family history of febrile seizures (odds ratio OR = 3.19; 95% CI: 2.03-5.01) and previous hospitalisation (OR = 6.65; 95% CI: 4.60-9.63). Total CBCL problems occurred more frequently in children with acute seizures (27%; 95% CI: 21-34%) than for those without seizures (11%; 95% CI: 11-12%; chi-squared p ≤ 0.001). Acute seizures were associated with total CBCL problems (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.34-2.77), externalising problems (aRR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.21-2.75) and internalising problems (aRR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.22-2.02), with the proportion of the comorbidity mediated by a co-diagnosis of epilepsy being small (15.3%; 95% CI: 4.5-34.9%). Risk factors for this comorbidity included family history of febrile seizures (risk ratio (RR) = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.34-8.41), repetitive acute seizures (β = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.15-0.57) and focal acute seizures (RR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.05-3.08). CONCLUSIONS Acute seizures are common in preschool children in this area and are associated with behavioural and emotional problems. Both conditions should be assessed and addressed in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Symon M. Kariuki
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Amina Abubakar
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Public Health, Pwani University, PO Box 195, Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK
| | - Martha Kombe
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Michael Kazungu
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Rachael Odhiambo
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Alan Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK
| | - Charles R. J. C. Newton
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, PO Box 230, Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Public Health, Pwani University, PO Box 195, Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK
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Kind CJ, Newton CRJC, Kariuki SM. Prevalence, risk factors, and neurobehavioral comorbidities of epilepsy in Kenyan children. Epilepsia Open 2017; 2:388-399. [PMID: 29588970 PMCID: PMC5862110 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the prevalence, risk factors, clinical features, and neurobehavioral comorbidities of epilepsy and acute symptomatic seizures in school‐aged children in Kilifi, Kenya. Methods Randomly selected children (N = 11,223) were screened for epilepsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Those who screened positive were invited for further clinical, electroencephalographic (EEG), and neuropsychological evaluations. Prevalence was measured by dividing cases by screened population, providing Agresti–Coull confidence intervals (CIs). Prevalence ratios were computed using log binomial regression, and odds ratios (ORs) were computed using logistic regression; both were implemented with generalized linear models. Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other neurodevelopmental impairments were assessed in cases and controls. Results Prevalence of lifetime epilepsy was 20.9 per 1,000 (95% CI = 18.4–23.7), and that of active epilepsy was 11.5 per 1,000 (95% CI = 9.7–13.6). Prevalence of acute symptomatic seizures was 68.8 per 1,000 (95% CI = 64.2–73.6). Acute symptomatic seizures preceded a diagnosis of epilepsy in 8% of children. Of 98 children diagnosed with epilepsy, focal seizures were seen in 79%, abnormal EEG was seen in 39%, and 83% were not receiving antiepileptic drugs. Childhood absence epilepsy and Lennox–Gastaut epilepsy were the most easily identifiable epilepsy syndromes. Perinatal complications, previous hospitalization, geophagia, and snoring were risk factors for epilepsy. Family history of seizures, abnormal pregnancy, previous hospitalization, and snoring were risk factors for acute symptomatic seizures. Neurobehavioral comorbidities were present in 54% of subjects with lifetime epilepsy and in 3% of controls, with associations for individual comorbidities being statistically significant: ADHD (OR = 14.55, 95% CI = 7.54–28.06), ASD (OR = 36.83, 95% CI = 7.97–170.14), and cognitive impairments (OR = 14.55, 95% CI = 3.52–60.14). Significance The burden of seizure disorders in this area is higher than in locations in high‐income countries, and can be reduced by preventing risk factors. A comprehensive management plan for neurobehavioral comorbidities of epilepsy should be incorporated into standard epilepsy care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles J Kind
- St. Johns College University of Oxford Oxford United Kingdom
| | - Charles R J C Newton
- St. Johns College University of Oxford Oxford United Kingdom.,KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme Kilifi Kenya.,Department of Psychiatry University of Oxford Oxford United Kingdom
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Kariuki SM, Abubakar A, Stein A, Marsh K, Newton CRJC. Prevalence, causes, and behavioral and emotional comorbidities of acute symptomatic seizures in Africa: A critical review. Epilepsia Open 2017; 2:8-19. [PMID: 29750209 PMCID: PMC5939456 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Seizures with fever includes both febrile seizures (due to nonneurological febrile infections) and acute symptomatic seizures (due to neurological febrile infections). The cumulative incidence (lifetime prevalence) of febrile seizures in children aged ≤6 years is 2-5% in American and European studies, but there are no community-based data on acute symptomatic seizures in Africa. The incidence of acute symptomatic seizures in sub-Saharan Africa is more than twice that in high-income countries. However, most studies of acute symptomatic seizures from Africa are based on hospital samples or do not conduct surveys in demographic surveillance systems, which underestimates the burden. It is difficult to differentiate between febrile seizures and acute symptomatic seizures in Africa, especially in malaria-endemic areas where malaria parasites can sequester in the brain microvasculature; but this challenge can be addressed by robust identification of underlying causes. The proportion of complex acute symptomatic seizures (i.e., seizures that are focal, repetitive, or prolonged) in Africa are twice that reported in other parts of the world (>60% vs. ∼30%), which is often attributed to falciparum malaria. These complex phenotypes of acute symptomatic seizures can be associated with behavioral and emotional problems in high-income countries, and outcomes may be even worse in Africa. One Kenyan study reported behavioral and emotional problems in approximately 10% of children admitted with acute symptomatic seizures, but it is not clear whether the behavioral and emotional problems were due to the seizures, shared genetic susceptibility, etiology, or underlying neurological damage. The underlying neurological damage in acute symptomatic seizures can lead not only to behavioral and emotional problems but also to neurocognitive impairment and epilepsy. Electroencephalography may have a prognostic role in African children with acute symptomatic seizures. There are significant knowledge gaps regarding acute symptomatic seizures in Africa, which results in lack of reliable estimates for planning interventions. Future epidemiological studies of acute symptomatic seizures should be set up in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amina Abubakar
- KEMRI‐Wellcome Trust Research ProgrammeKilifiKenya
- Department of Public HealthPwani UniversityKilifiKenya
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Alan Stein
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Kevin Marsh
- KEMRI‐Wellcome Trust Research ProgrammeKilifiKenya
- Nuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in AfricaAfrican Academy of SciencesNairobiKenya
| | - Charles R. J. C. Newton
- KEMRI‐Wellcome Trust Research ProgrammeKilifiKenya
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
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Bistervels IM, Kariuki SM, Newton CRJC. Risk of convulsive epilepsy following acute seizures in Kenyan children. Epilepsia Open 2016; 1:112-120. [PMID: 29588934 PMCID: PMC5719838 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The prevalence of epilepsy is high in Africa, and people with epilepsy often have a history of acute seizures. We determined whether acute seizures are associated with risk for epilepsy in rural Africa, where both conditions are common and may have shared risk factors. Methods A total of 16,438 children (2,991 with acute seizures and 13,447 without seizures) admitted to Kilifi County Hospital from 2002 to 2008 were followed up with epidemiological surveys conducted in 2003 and 2008 to assess the prevalence of epilepsy and the associated risk factors. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify the risk factors. Prevalence ratios were computed using log binomial regression models. Results The prevalence of epilepsy was higher in admissions with acute seizures (5.0% [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.3–5.9%]) than in those without seizures (0.7% [95% CI, 0.5–0.8%]), p < 0.0001). Acute seizures were associated with epilepsy after accounting for potential confounders in a Cox regression model (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.53 [95% CI, 1.10–2.14]). Prevalence was greater in complex acute seizures (5.9%; prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.58 [95% CI, 1.13–2.20]) or status epilepticus (7.5%; PR = 1.96 [95% CI, 1.32–2.91]) than in simple acute seizures (3.7%). Factors independently associated with epilepsy following acute seizures in Cox regression models were perinatal complications (HR = 3.60 [95% CI, 1.89–6.87]), cerebral palsy (HR = 1491.51 [95% CI, 144.30–15,416.21]), duration of follow‐up (HR = 1.21 [95% CI, 1.09–1.35]), and malnutrition (relative risk [RR] = 0.24 [95% CI, 0.08–0.69]). Significance Acute seizures in children are associated with subsequent risk for epilepsy that is greater than in the general population. The burden of epilepsy may be reduced by control of causes of acute seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid M Bistervels
- Global Child Health Group EKZ/AMC University of Amsterdam Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | | | - Charles R J C Newton
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme Kilifi Kenya.,Department of Psychiatry University of Oxford Oxford United Kingdom
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Carpio A, Romo ML, Parkhouse RME, Short B, Dua T. Parasitic diseases of the central nervous system: lessons for clinicians and policy makers. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 16:401-14. [PMID: 26894629 PMCID: PMC4926779 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.2016.1155454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases of the central nervous system are associated with high mortality and morbidity, especially in resource-limited settings. The burden of these diseases is amplified as survivors are often left with neurologic sequelae affecting mobility, sensory organs, and cognitive functions, as well as seizures/epilepsy. These diseases inflict suffering by causing lifelong disabilities, reducing economic productivity, and causing social stigma. The complexity of parasitic life cycles and geographic specificities, as well as overlapping clinical manifestations in the host reflecting the diverse pathogenesis of parasites, can present diagnostic challenges. We herein provide an overview of these parasitic diseases and summarize clinical aspects, diagnosis, therapeutic strategies and recent milestones, and aspects related to prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Carpio
- a Escuela de Medicina , Universidad de Cuenca , Cuenca , Ecuador.,b GH Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA.,c Consultorios Sta Inés, F. Proaño y D. Cordova (esquina) , Cuenca , Ecuador
| | - Matthew L Romo
- d Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, CUNY School of Public Health, Hunter College , New York , NY , USA.,e Dirección de Investigación , Universidad de Cuenca , Cuenca , Ecuador
| | | | - Brooke Short
- g World Health Organization (WHO Geneva) , Geneva , Switzerland
| | - Tarun Dua
- g World Health Organization (WHO Geneva) , Geneva , Switzerland
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