Caregiver reported seizure precipitants and measures to prevent seizures in children with Dravet syndrome

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this population-based, cross-sectional study was to describe caregiver-reported seizure precipitants, measures taken to prevent seizures and rescue therapies in children with Dravet Syndrome (DS).

Methods: In a population-based study, caregivers of 42/48 Swedish children with DS born between 2000 and 2018 were interviewed. Frequency of precipitants, preventive measures, and rescue therapies were compared between children born 2000-2009 and 2010-2018 and between `severe´ and `less severe´ epilepsy.

Results: All children had experienced precipitants. Preventive measures were employed in all. Seizures had been provoked by a median of seven (range 2-11) out of 13 factors. A median of eight (range 1-17) preventive measures out of 19 were reported. The most common precipitants were fever (n=42, 100%), and afebrile infections (n=39/42, 93%). Afebrile infections (p=0.014) and reduced ambient temperature (p=0.006) were more common precipitants in younger children, and bright light in children with severe epilepsy (p=0.013). The most common factors avoided were warm weather (n=35/42, 83%) and physical activity (n=27/42, 64%). It was more common to avoid strong emotions (p=0.035) and reduced temperature (p=0.002) in younger children, and to avoid infections (p=0.024) and crowds (p=0.046) in children with 'severe' epilepsy. Many children (n=28/42, 67%) or their siblings (n=16/34, 47% of individuals with siblings) had stayed home to avoid infections in school/day-care. Use of emergency medicines was more frequent in younger children (p=0.006) and in children with 'severe' epilepsy (p=0.007).

Significance: Caregiver-reported seizure precipitants are common in DS. Caregivers employ a range of measures to avoid seizures, restricting family life.

Keywords: Child; Dravet syndrome; Epilepsy; Precipitants; Prevention.