Background: There is no available data from Sudan reflecting the magnitude of the neurological disorders and disabilities in the pediatric age-group. This study aims to evaluate the pattern of neurological disorders among Sudanese children. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective survey of children with epilepsy and other neurodisability disorders seen at pediatric neurology outpatient clinic, during the period from January 2007 to August 2013. The data of 9600 patients were analyzed. Results: A total of 6019 patients were included in the study. The majority of the patients had epilepsy that amounted to 52.8%, followed by cerebral palsy (19.1%), congenital anomalies of the central nervous system (6.2%), neuromuscular disorders (3.2%), stroke (2.4%), ataxia and movement disorders (1.9%), assumed genetic syndromes (1.2%), and others. Conclusion: Neurological disorders constitute a major cause of chronic morbidity in pediatric age-group.
The prevalence of epilepsy in school children in Khartoum State (4/1000) is higher than that reported previously from Khartoum Province in 1983 (0.9/1000).
BackgroundIn this paper, seizure types, and epilepsy syndromes are elucidated as per ILAE (2010) classification. A brief outline of the antiepileptic drug regimens used and the outcome of seizure control in a two -year period is presented. The applicability of the ILAE classification in resource limited countries has been revisited.MethodsThis is a descriptive prospective study, in which 202 patients were enrolled. The Cohort group was seen and evaluated by a pediatric neurologist at the Pediatric neurology Outpatients Department (OPD). Epilepsy was classified using the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification (2005–2009) report. All patients had an Electroencephalogram (EEG) at the start of the study, and this was repeated as deemed appropriate. Brain imaging (MRI) was done to patients when indicated. Treatment decisions were made by pediatric neurologists. Outcomes were categorized into four groups: fully recovered, well controlled, partially controlled and uncontrolled.ResultsThe mean age is 10.5 + 2.7 years. Male to female ratio was 1.7: 1. Thirty five (17.3%) patients had generalized onset seizures, 46(22.8%) had focal onset seizures, 104(51.5%) had a specific epilepsy syndrome, and 17(8.4%) patients were unclassified. 170 (84.2%) patients were on mono-therapy on their initial visit, 30(14.8%) were on two Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs) while two (1.0%) patients were on poly-therapy. After 2 years; 155(76.7%) patients were on mono-therapy, 36(17.8%) on two AEDs while ten were (4.0%) on polytherapy. One eighty (88.2%) patients were controlled. Fifteen (7.4%) of them were off medication after being seizure free for 2 years. Twenty (9.8%) have partial control, while two (1.0%) patients were uncontrolled. Patients with focal epilepsy, those on polytherapy and those with abnormal imaging had poor prognosis.ConclusionsThe ILAE classification can be used in resource limited countries. Childhood epilepsies have a good prognosis provided they are well classified and treated.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.