Factors associated with clinical seizures in high-risk neonates at the Wesley Guild hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria

Abstract

The occurrence of seizures among ill newborns has been reported to increase morbidity and mortality. Recognition and prompt management/avoidance of risk factors associated with the occurrence of seizures in the newborn may improve survival. This study aims to determine the risk factors for seizures among admitted babies at the Wesley Guild hospital, Ilesa. Consecutive neonatal admissions over a 9 month period were prospectively observed for clinical seizures. Perinatal and neonatal factors were compared between babies with and without seizures. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of the occurrence of seizures among the babies. Fifty-five (16.2%) of the 340 neonates admitted during the study period had clinical seizures. Male to female ratio of babies with seizures was 2.9:1, and 67.2% were admitted within 72 h of birth. Male sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.256; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.146–7.167; P=0.024), parental low socioeconomic class (OR=2.211; 95% CI=1.427–9.281; P=0.007), delivery outside the hospital, particularly in mission homes (OR=4.173; 95% CI=1.590–14.040; P=0.005), and maternity homes (OR=2.005; 95% CI=1.183–9.692; P=0.003) were the independent risk factors associated with seizures among the babies. Delivery in private maternity and mission homes coupled with parental low socioeconomic class are major risk factors for seizures among admitted sick babies at the Wesley Guild hospital, Ilesa. Making delivery in standard health centers easily accessible and affordable may help reduce this burden.

Keywords

Convulsions - ill newborns - predictors - risk factors