Prevalence and Determinants of Epilepsy among School Children in Aseer Region-KSA

Epilepsy is a heterogeneous collection of neurological conditions and syndromes characterized by recurrent, unprovoked, paroxysmal seizure activity. It is estimated that 10.5 million children under 15 years have active epilepsy, representing about 25% of the global epilepsy population. Of the 3.5 million people who develop epilepsy annually, 40% are younger than 15 years, and more than 80% live in developing countries. Epilepsy is an important cause of neurological morbidity in children. Family history of epilepsy, neonatal complications, perinatal brain damage, congenital cerebral malformations, intracranial infection, neonatal seizures, febrile seizure were found as predictors of childhood seizure disorder in many of the studies. In early onset epilepsy perinatal asphyxia, neonatal meningitis and neonatal seizure was found to be the important predictors little research has been done on childhood epilepsy in Aseer region. Greater knowledge on risk factors of epilepsy in the early years of life could help to improve understanding of epilepsy, can tell us about its prognosis and allow early intervention. Objectives: This research aimed to determine the prevalence of epilepsy among the school children and determine the risk factors associated with epilepsy Methodology: A case control study was conducted among school students aged 6 up to 18 years. Primary, preparatory and secondary schools was randomly selected in Abha and Khamis Mushait. Results: 20 cases of epilepsy was detected among the studied group. The identified major etiologic factors of the epilepsies were cerebral trauma, febrile convulsions, A family history of epilepsy was a risk factor of the cases, and the consanguinity rate among the parents was high. Conclusion: The most important risk factors for epilepsy in this study only head trauma, febrile convulsions, consanguinity and family history of epilepsy were significant.