FV 757. Clinical, Radiological and Genetic Spectrum of a Large Pediatric Cohort with Epilepsy

Background: Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disease in children and adolescents. Two-thirds of all epilepsies manifest prior to the age of 20 years. Pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, comorbidities, and overall outcome are highly heterogeneous. Furthermore, a very broad spectrum of treatments and supportive measures exists. Given that epilepsy is still a very stigmatized condition, many patients experience psychosocial limitations and comorbidities that can exceed the handicap due to the clinical seizures.

Aim: The goal of the study was to identify modifiable factors to improve patient-centered care and therapy of children and adolescent with epilepsy based on clinical, radiological, genetic, socioeconomic, and therapy data from a large pediatric cohort.

Methods: We created a database based on patient records from 395 children and adolescents who carried the diagnosis epilepsy and were treated at the Center for Chronically Sick Children (Sozialpädiatrisches Zentrum der Charité), Charité – University Medicine Berlin between January 2017 and December 2017. The following parameters were recorded: seizure semiology, clinical findings, developmental profile including cognitive development, context of living circumstances, neurophysiological results (especially EEG), radiological results (especially cMRI), development, therapy regimens, and genetic findings.

Results: We present data of a large cohort of children and adolescents diagnosed with epilepsy and critically consider the use of diagnostic measures, therapies, and remedial support with respect to a patient’s development and life situation.