Subdural injuries as risk factors for post-traumatic epilepsy in pediatric patients

Rodrigo Gómez-Rosiles, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., Mexico
Felipe Chavelas-Ochoa, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Hospital de Especialidades del Niño y La Mujer Dr. Felipe Nuñez Lara, Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., Mexico
Adrián E. Hernández-Muñoz, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., Mexico
Oscar A. Romo-Andrade, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., Mexico
Sara Jayme-Muñoz-Ledo, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., Mexico
Vanessa E. López-Zapata, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., Mexico

Background: Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is a common consequence of traumatic brain injury in the pediatric population. Possible risk factors (RFs) include subdural injuries (SI), such as subdural hematoma (SDH) and subdural hygroma. Objective: To analyze these RFs and identify those most significantly associated with PTE. Methods: According to the elements from the STROBE’s Statements, an analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 101 patients at the Maternal-Pediatric Hospital in Querétaro, Mexico. Odds ratios (OR) adjusted odds ratios (aOR), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Results: PTE was found in 34.9% of patients, associated with SI (OR 7.8, 95% CI: 3.2-20.1), physical abuse (OR 5.4, 95% CI: 2.09-14.15), and age under 36 weeks (OR 3.2, 95% CI: 1.13-8.79). Multivariate analysis identified SI (aOR 5.6, 95% CI: 2.1-14.8) as the strongest RF for PTE. Conclusion: Defining the roles of SDH and SH as RFs for PTE can lead to targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions, ultimately reducing PTE incidence in pediatric patients.

Keywords: Traumatic brain injury. Pediatric population. Subdural injuries. Subdural hygroma. Subdural hematoma. Risk factors.