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The Epidemiology of Infantile Spasms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

P.M. Brna ,
K.E. Gordon ,
J.M. Dooley  and
E.P. Wood
P.M. Brna
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
K.E. Gordon
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
J.M. Dooley
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
E.P. Wood
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Abstract

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Objective:

The aim of this study was to estimate population based incidence rates for infantile spasms (IS) and to study our clinical impression that the incidence of IS has recently decreased in the Canadian Provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Methods:

Birth cohorts from 1978 to 1998, identified through the hospital health records, EEG records and physician computerized databases, were followed for two years for the development of IS. Disease incidence rates were calculated using denominators derived from Statistics Canada's reported annual live birth rates.

Results:

The inclusion criteria for IS were fulfilled by 75 patients. The overall incidence of IS was 30.7/100,000 live births (95% CI 24.3, 38.8). Etiologic classification was symptomatic for 51 cases (68%), cryptogenic for 18 (24%), and idiopathic in six children (8%). Although there were more males (N=44) than females (N=31), the incidence rates were similar. There was a marked variability in annual and five-year incidence rates.

Conclusion:

Although the clinical characteristics of our patients were similar to other reported IS populations, the instability in IS incidence rates indicates a need for caution in interpreting smaller IS epidemiologic studies.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ:

Épidémiologie des spasmes infantiles. Objectif: Le but de cette étude était d'estimer l'incidence des spasmes infantiles (SI) dans la population et de valider notre impression clinique que l'incidence des spasmes infantiles a diminué récemment dans deux provinces Canadiennes, la Nouvelle-Écosse et l'Îe du Prince-Édouard.

Méthodes:

Des cohortes de naissance de 1978 à 1998, identifiées au moyen de dossiers médicaux hospitaliers, de rapports d'ÉEG et de bases de données informatisées de cliniques médicales, ont été suivies pendant deux ans quant à l'apparition de SI. Les taux d'incidence ont été calculés au moyen de dénominateurs tirés des taux annuels de naissances vivantes de Statistique Canada.

Résultats:

Les critères d'inclusion des SI étaient présents chez 75 patients. L'incidence globale des SI était de 30.7/100,000 naissances vivantes (IC à 95%, 24.3 à 38.8). La classification étiologique suivante a été utilisée: SI symptomatiques chez 51 cas (68%), cryptogéniques chez 18 (24%), et idiopathiques chez six (8%). Bien qu'il y avait plus de garçons (N = 44) que de filles (N = 31), les taux d'incidence étaient semblables. Il existait une grande variabilité dans les taux d'incidence annuelle et sur cinq ans.

Conclusions:

Bien que les caractéristiques cliniques de nos patients étaient semblables à celles des autres populations au sujet desquelles des données ont été rapportées, l'instabilité dans les taux d'incidence des SI indique qu'on doit interpréter les petites études épidémiologiques sur les SI avec prudence.

Type
Original Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 28 , Issue 4 , November 2001 , pp. 309 - 312
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2001

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