DOI: N/A
Faruk MO, Alam ST, Kundu GK, Sarker MA, Miah Q, Alam J, Sarker A, Chakroborty P
Background: Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) affects nearly one-third of children with epilepsy and is associated with significant neurocognitive and psychosocial morbidity. Electroencephalography (EEG) and neuroimaging provide essential insights into its underlying etiologies and predictors.
Methods: This case–control study was conducted at the Institute of Paediatric Neurodisorder and Autism (IPNA), BSMMU, Dhaka, from April 2022 to March 2023. Sixty children aged 1–18 years were enrolled, including 30 with DRE (case) and 30 with drug-responsive epilepsy (control).
Results: Abnormal EEG was present in all DRE cases versus 70% of controls (p=0.002). Diffuse background slowing (86.7% vs. 10%), multifocal discharges (30% vs. 3.3%), and paroxysmal fast activity (20% vs. 3.3%) were significantly more frequent in DRE. Neuroimaging revealed abnormalities in 73.3% of DRE children, including cortical atrophy, encephalomalacia, infarction, and malformations, compared to 16.7% of controls (p=0.003).
Conclusion: Pediatric DRE is strongly associated with severe EEG abnormalities and structural brain lesions. Early recognition of these features may facilitate timely referral, tailored interventions, and improved outcomes in resource-limited settings.