Correlation of Electroencephalography (EEG) Findings with Clinical Seizures in Children

Bilal Akhlaq; Ehsan Qadir; Hafsa Arshad; Awais  Kazmi; Farooq Ikram; Syed Hassan Nawaz

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v75i5.9954

Authors

Bilal Akhlaq Department of Paediatrics, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Ehsan Qadir Department of Paediatrics, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Hafsa Arshad Department of Paediatrics, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Awais Kazmi Department of Paediatrics, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Farooq Ikram Department of Paediatrics, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Syed Hassan Nawaz Department of Paediatrics, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v75i5.9954

Keywords:

Electroencephalogram, Epilepsy, Paediatric Patients, Recurrent Seizures

Abstract

Objective: To determine the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of electroencephalography in predicting the development of a second/recurrent seizures/epilepsy within one year of first attack, in children who have developed their first unprovoked seizure.

Study Design: Cross-sectional validation study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Paediatrics, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from Jan to Dec 2022.

Methodology: This study was conducted on 126 paediatric patients who reported with a first unprovoked seizure. All patients aged between 4 and 12 years, of both genders. All participants underwent the recording of an EEG, for thirty minutes with photic and hyperventilation stimulation. All patients were followed-up for a period of one-year.

Results: Mean time from onset of seizure to presentation was 22.89±13.37 hours. An abnormal EEG was seen in 57(45.2%) patients: seizure activity was seen in 11(8.7%) cases, focal and generalized spike-waves in 11(8.7%) and 10(7.9%) cases, respectively, while slowing was seen in 31(24.6%) cases. Seizure recurrence was seen in 66(52.4%) cases. An abnormal EEG as a predictor for the development of recurrent seizures/epilepsy in children, who have had their first episode of unprovoked seizure, had a sensitivity of 57.58%, a specificity of 68.33%, a positive predictive value of 66.67%, a negative predictive value of 59.42% and a diagnostic accuracy of 62.70%.

Conclusion: Electroencephalographic findings alone in paediatric patients suffering from their first unprovoked seizure carries inadequate sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy in predicting the development of future seizures.

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