Prognostic factors of epilepsy in patients with neonatal seizures history

Background Seizures in neonates are often associated with neurological disorders in early life, including epilepsy. Several possible prognostic factors may influence the development of epilepsy in these patients. Objective To evaluate prognostic factors that may influence the occurrence of epilepsy in the first two years of life in patients with a history of neonatal seizures. Methods We performed a cohort retrospective study on patients with neonatal seizures in Sardjito Hospital during 2004-2009. Prognostic factors observed were gender, family history of epilepsy, neonatal hypoglycemia, assisted labor, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, preterm infant delivery, and epileptic state. Results Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and epileptic state increased the risk of epilepsy (HR 5.8; 95%CI 1.63 to 20.43 and HR 6.3; 95%CI 2.0 to 19.70, respectively). Assisted labor, preterm delivery, neonatal hypoglycemia, family history of epilepsy, and gender did not increase the risk of epilepsy in the first two years of life. Conclusion Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and epileptic state in neonates presenting with seizures are the prognostic factors to he epileptic children during the first two years of life.