Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Obafemi
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Bankole Peter Kuti, Department of Pediatrics
and Child Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Tel.: +234 803
465 9848; E-mail: kutitherapy@yahoo.com
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.
