Publication:

New onset seizures an etiological study

Background Seizures are common disorders found all over the world and are encountered frequently during medical practice in variety of settings. Etiological spectrum of acute symptomatic seizures in developing countries is different from developed countries. So, this study was done to know the various etiologies of new onset seizures in adults in this region.

Methods Consecutive 100 Cases of new onset seizures from the Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain hospital, Bengaluru, were included in the study. The etiology was determined by neuroimaging and appropriate investigations including cerebrospinal fluid examination.

Results Of 100 patients 89% were acute symptomatic seizures. The seizure types were GTCS in 71% and 29% had simple or complex partial seizure (s) with or without secondary generalization. 8 (8%) patients had status epilepticus (SE). 40% 0f SE were caused by neuroinfections. Neuroinfection was the leading cause of seizure, which accounted for 34%, followed by Cerebrovascular accidents (29%) and metabolic (9%). Neurocysticercosis is most common cause in neuroinfection (35%), followed by meningitis (29%) and cerebral malaria (17%). 8% of seizures were because of CNS Tuberculosis. 55% of the CVA were due stroke and 34% due to CVT. 14% of seizures were pregnancy related.

Conclusions This study illustrates that the etiological spectrum of seizures in this part of the world is different from that described from developed countries and CNS infections account for a significant number of cases.