Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Background: Seizures are the most common pediatric neurological disorder. They are may be benign and self limited, requiring minimal treatment, or may be the initial sign of a serious illness. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the etiology, clinical Characteristics, possible predictors and outcome of seizures in the PICU. Methods: In this prospective observational study, of 100 pediatric patients presenting with seizures and requiring PICU admission due to actual or impending system failure. Results: The patients included in the study were between age of 1 month and 12 years old, 30 % of them aged below the age of 1 year, 57% aged between 1 and 6 years and 13 % were older than 6 years (with the median age being 2.6 years). Regarding etiology of seizures, 31% of patients presented with a structural aetiology, 24% of patients presented with a metabolic etiology, 21% of patients presented with an infectious etiology and other causes included epileptic, immune disorders and intoxication. The mortality rate of patients admitted with seizures was 8%. Average length of stay was 30 days. PRISM III score, GCS, sofa score, Murray score, need for mechanical ventilation and intracerebral haemorrhage were independent predictors of both mortality and prolonged ICU stay

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