Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Background and objectives: Non traumatic coma (NTC) in children is a common cause of admission in pediatric emergency departments and is reported to result in high morbidity and mortality. Various etiological factors have been identified for NTC; however considerable regional diversity exists in these etiological factors with infectious problems suggested to be more common in developing countries. This study was planned to determine the prevalence, etiology and factors predictive of the outcome of infants and children admitted to intensive care unit due to acute non-traumatic encephalopathy.Results: The incidence was approximately 14%. By logistic regression, low Glasgow coma score, longer periods before referral at admission and abnormal respiratory pattern, presence of seizures at 48 hours after admission were independent significant predictors of mortality. Abnormal motor pattern was a significant predictor of disability Conclusions: septic, metabolic conditions and CNS infections were the most common causes of non-traumatic encephalopathy in childhood. Simple clinical signs were good predictors of the outcome.

Issued also as CD