Neurological and developmental outcome of children with neonatal hypoglycemic seizures

Neonatal hypoglycemia may lead to severe neurological injury both in acute and chronic terms. Time period hypoglycemia lasts is important in the development of cerebral injury. Hypoglycemic seizure usually follows long lasting hypoglycemia and worsens cerebral injury as well as the prognosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of neonatal hypoglycemic seizures on neurological and developmental outcome.

METHODS

21 patients who have had neonatal hypoglycemic seizures and followed up in Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology between January 1999 and May 2011 were included in this study. The electroencephalography, brain magnetic resonance imaging and visual evoke potential results of the patients were recorded. Mental and motor developmental outcomes and seizure prognosis were evaluated.

RESULTS

The development of epilepsy, abnormal visual evoked potential responses and abnormal brain magnetic resonance findings following neonatal hypoglycemic seizures were found to be associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcome.

CONCLUSION

Newborns should be carefully monitored for hypoglycemia which causes severe and permanent but preventable neurological sequelae.

Keywords:

neonate, hypoglycemia, epilepsy, prognosis