Abstract
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
The first month of life is a time of increased risk of seizures; the prognosis largely depends on
etiologic factors and the duration of convulsive activity.
OBJECTIVE:
To describe the spectrum of brain magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) findings with neonatal seizures.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Cross – sectional study conducted in Children Welfare Teaching Hospital /Medical City Complex.
All full term neonates with a seizure were admitted to the Out -born Neonatal Care Unit or attending
the Consultation Clinic and infants admitted to Pediatrics Neurology Ward who had history of fit
during the neonatal period were included in the study (O -NCU) from January 1st to September
31st 2014.
RESULTS:
Eighty six neonates were included in the study, male: female ratio % o was 1.4:1. The mean age of
presentation was 24 days (+18SD). Two-thirds of neonates presented in the first week and mainly in
the first two days. The most common type of seizures was the subtle 15.1% within early or late
presentation and less common (3.5%) were the autonomic. About half of the patients had abnormal
Electroencephalography (EEG) study 49.1. Only 39.5% had normal MRI finding, about 60.5% had
abnormal MRI, the most frequent abnormality was metabolic 15.1% and developmental 11.6%.
The family history was positive in those who presented with seizures in first 14 days (early) in 30% ,
and more with those had metabolic etiology and no family history in case of vascular etiology.
89.5% of neonates had abnormal MRI finding in those who presented in the late period (p=0.003).
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