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Table 2 Seizure characteristics in relation to splenial changes on MRI

From: Restricted diffusion of the callosal splenium is highly specific for seizures in neonates

 

Total (N = 123)

MRI change in splenium

Yes (N = 26)

No (N = 97)

P

Seizure present

39 (31.7%)

21 (80.8%)

18 (18.6%)

< 0.001

Number of anti-epileptics

0.54 ± 1.03

1.77 ± 1.56

0.21 ± 0.46

< 0.001

Anti-epileptics used

 None

84 (68.3%)

5 (19.2%)

79 (81.4%)

< 0.001

 1 anti-epileptic

27 (22.0%)

10 (38.5%)

17 (17.5%)

 2 or more anti-epileptics, not including midazolam drip

7 (5.7%)

6 (23.1%)

1 (1.0%)

 Includes midazolam drip

5 (4.1%)

5 (19.2%)

0 (0.0%)

Seizure frequencya

 None

84 (68.9%)

5 (20.0%)

79 (81.4%)

< 0.001

 1 seizure

8 (6.6%)

2 (8.0%)

6 (6.2%)

 2 or more seizures

22 (18.0%)

10 (40.0%)

12 (12.4%)

 Status epilepticus

8 (6.6%)

8 (32.0%)

0 (0.0%)

Worst EEG background in first 24 hoursb

 Normal

12 (9.8%)

1 (3.8%)

11 (11.5%)

< 0.001

 Mild to moderate

90 (73.8%)

13 (50.0%)

77 (80.2%)

 Severe

20 (16.4%)

12 (46.2%)

8 (8.3%)

Seizure typec

 Clinical only

3 (7.7%)

2 (9.5%)

1 (5.6%)

0.375

 Electrographic only

17 (43.6%)

7 (33.3%)

10 (55.6%)

 Clinical and electrographic

19 (48.7%)

12 (57.1%)

7 (38.9%)

  1. Data presented as mean ± standard deviation or counts (and percentages within each row). P-value for unpaired t-test for continuous variables or Chi-square analysis for categorical variables
  2. aOne patient had unclear duration of clinical seizures at outside hospital prior to transfer to Rady’s Children’s Hospital; N = 122 for total neonates, N = 25 for yes splenium change group
  3. bOne patient had video EEG done but information on EEG background in the first 24 hours was not available; N = 122 for total neonates, N = 96 for no splenium change group
  4. cEighty-four neonates had no seizures; N = 39 for total neonates, N = 21 for yes splenium change group, N = 18 for no splenium change group