Etiology Profile of Acute Symptomatic Seizure in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

Abstract

Introduction: Acute symptomatic seizures (ASS) are a type of neurological manifestation that occurs as a result of aberrant brain electrical activity triggered by intra- and extracranial stimuli. There is a shift in the clinical symptoms seen in the emergency department during this COVID-19 pandemic, which has an effect on the etiological profile of ASS. Materials and Methods: This research used a retrospective cross-sectional design. Between July 2020 and July 2021, a total of 80 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Samples were collected at Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar Results: The data collected were 55% male (n=44) and 45% female (n=36). Patients ranged in age from 18 to 85 years, with a mean of 51 years. ASS is most prevalent in people aged 51-60 years (28,8%) and is least prevalent in those aged 18-20 years (7,5%). The worst outcome/death rate was 11,2 percent in the hypoxia, uremic, and stroke etiologic categories. Discussion: There was a paradigm change in the etiology of ASS during the COVID-19 pandemic. ASS is more prevalent in the 51–60 year age group. Consider the pathogenesis of ASS to be inducing hypoxia. Keywords: etiology profile, acute symptomatic seizures, seizures, COVID-19 pandemic.