Pediatric epilepsy and first afebrile seizure in Singapore: epidemiology and investigation yield at presentation.

The authors studied pediatric epilepsy and first afebrile seizure at presentation in Singapore. A total of 211 participants aged 1 month to 15 years with first presentation for afebrile seizures were recruited from November 2002 to May 2004; 108 with ≥2 prior afebrile seizures (newly diagnosed epilepsy) and 103 with first afebrile seizures. A χ2 analysis of demographics, risk factors, examination, and investigation findings showed significant differences in development (normal in 87% [newly diagnosed epilepsy] and 93% [first afebrile seizure], P = .046), neurological examination (normal in 92% [newly diagnosed epilepsy] and 98% [first afebrile seizure], P = .016), and electroencephalogram findings (abnormal in 75% [newly diagnosed epilepsy] and 36.9% [first afebrile seizure], P < .005). Pediatric epilepsy incidence at our institution is 24 per 100 000 person-years and is highest in early childhood. Focal epilepsy is more common than generalized epilepsy. Patients with first afebrile seizure and abnormal d...