Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, and Epilepsy After Neonatal Seizures

This study sought to identify clinical prognostic factors for cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, and epilepsy in term infants with neonatal seizures. We completed a retrospective analysis of 120 term infants who experienced clinical neonatal seizures at a single academic pediatric neurology practice. Logistic regression analysis determined the significant independent prognostic (P < 0.05) indicators of cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, and epilepsy. Fifty-four (45%) infants were never diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental abnormality, whereas 37 (31%) manifested cerebral palsy, 51 (43%) manifested global developmental delay, and 38 (32%) manifested epilepsy. Global developmental delay was present in 92% of the children who manifested spastic quadraparetic cerebral palsy. Seizure type, seizure onset, electroencephalographic background findings, and 5-minute Apgar scores constituted independent predictors of cerebral palsy. None of the children who manifested less than two predictors developed the disorder. For global developmental delay, predictors included method of delivery, seizure onset, electroencephalographic background findings, and etiology. Only one infant (2%) who manifested less than two predictors exhibited global developmental delay. For epilepsy, predictors included seizure type and administration of a second antiepileptic drug. Only one infant (3%) who manifested neither predictor developed the disease.