Childhood Epileptic Encephalopathy in Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria

Background: Pediatric epileptic encephalopathies comprises a group of severe childhood epilepsy syndromes characterized by refractory seizures associated with progressive cerebral dysfunction, manifesting as cognitive or learning difficulties and behavioural or sensory impairments. Objectives: To describe the clinical and electroencephagraphic profile of children seen with epileptic encephalopathy in Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria. Methodology: This is a descriptive report of cases of epileptic encephalopathy seen in a Pediatric Neurology Clinic, over a 5-year period (Jan. 2015 to Dec. 2020). Results: Twenty-one cases that satisfied the definition criteria for childhood epileptic encephalopathy where identified over the study period, out of a total number 413 children diagnosed with epilepsy over the period, giving a hospital prevalence of 5.1%. Three of the cases were excluded due to incomplete data. Four (4) different syndromes of EE were recorded, namely: Epileptic spasms/West syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Doose syndrome and Landau-Kleffner syndrome. Epileptic spasm was the most prevalent type recorded in 7 (38.9%) cases, followed by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in 6 (33.3%), Landau-Kleffner syndrome in 3 (16.7%) and Doose Syndrome in 2 (11.1%) in that order. The mean age at diagnosis was 17.00 ± 6.50 months, with a male to female ratio of 1.6:1. There was a significant association between age of seizure onset and the type of seizure syndrome. Conclusion: Pediatric epileptic encephalopathies are prevalent in our society, with epileptic spasms/West syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes leading the list. Perinatal asphyxia was the main risk factor identified among the cases. epileptiform abnormalities and other nonspecific EEG findings.