Paroxysmal disorders in infancy and their risk factors in a population‐based cohort: the Generation R Study

Aim To examine the incidence of paroxysmal epileptic and non‐epileptic disorders and the associated prenatal and perinatal factors that might predict them in the first year of life in a population‐based cohort. Method This study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a population‐based prospective cohort study from early fetal life onwards. Information about the occurrence of paroxysmal events, defined as suddenly occurring episodes with an altered consciousness, altered behaviour, involuntary movements, altered muscle tone, and/or a changed breathing pattern, was collected by questionnaires at the ages of 2, 6, and 12 months. Information on possible prenatal and perinatal determinants was obtained by measurements and questionnaires during pregnancy and after birth. Results Information about paroxysmal events in the first year of life was available in 2860 participants (1410 males, 1450 females). We found an incidence of paroxysmal disorders of 8.9% (n=255) in the first year of life. Of these participants, 17 were diagnosed with febrile seizures and two with epilepsy. Non‐epileptic events included physiological events, apnoeic spells, loss of consciousness by causes other than epileptic seizures or apnoeic spells, parasomnias, and other events. Preterm birth (p