BACKGROUND Neonates presenting with seizures require long term stay in hospital and have higher chances of neuro-developmental delay later. Seizures in neonates are mostly subtle and difficult to diagnose. We wanted to study the clinical profile and short-term outcome on term and later pre-term neonates presenting with seizures. METHODS The study was a retrospective observational study done from November to December 2020 at PES Hospital, Kuppam. Retrospective data of neonatal seizures from May 2019 to April 2020 was considered for study. Details from the case records of neonates with seizures was collected. RESULTS Neonatal seizures (NS) were most common in females (53.8 %, 72/134). Subtle seizures were most common form of seizures in neonates which was seen in 64.2 % (86/134) babies followed by tonic seizures in 22.4 % (30/134). Neonatal seizures were most commonly seen in babies with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in 63.4 % (85/134) followed by metabolic disturbances in 15.6 % (21/134) and meningitis in 13.5 % (18/134). In babies with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, metabolic and meningitis subtle seizures were observed to be more common. Seizures were seen most commonly in first 72 hours of life (82.85 %, 111/134). Seizures in babies with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, metabolic causes most commonly occurred within first 24 hours of birth. Seizures in babies with meningitis most commonly occurred after 7 days of birth. Babies with neonatal seizures with sequelae was seen in 17.96 % (24/134) and 11.94 % babies died (16/134). CONCLUSIONS Subtle seizures were most common form and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy was most common risk factor. Most neonatal seizures present within 72 hours of birth. Babies with meningitis presented with seizures most commonly after 72 hours of birth. KEYWORDS Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, Neonatal Seizures, Newborn, Aetiology, Outcome
Clinical profile of neonatal seizures with special reference to biochemical abnormalities
