Epilepsy diagnosis and management of children in Kenya: review of current literature

• Main Authors: Samia P, Hassell J, Hudson JA, Murithi MK, Kariuki SM, Newton CR, Wilmshurst JM
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2019
• Subjects: Epilepsy; Children Kenya; Epidemiology; Management; Outcomes; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic; Hudson
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/e46d1e9693f6435ebfde4133cb565fa8

Pauline Samia,1 Jane Hassell,2 Jessica-Anne Hudson,3 Maureen Kanana Murithi,1 Symon M Kariuki,4 Charles R Newton,4 Jo M Wilmshurst51Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya; 2Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Child development Centre, Nairobi, Kenya; 3Oxford School of Paediatrics, Department of Child Health, UK; 4Kemri–Wellcome Trust Collaborative Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya; 5Division of Paediatric Neurology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South AfricaIntroduction: 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 ...