Neuro-Developmental and Epilepsy Outcomes of Children with West Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study from North India.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the neurodevelopmental outcome of West syndrome (WS) in Indian children, who differ in their clinical profile from the western population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled children aged 2--5 years with prior diagnosis of WS between November 2013 and March 2015. They were assessed for epilepsy outcome and developmental outcome using developmental profile 3 (DP3) and vineland adaptive behavioral scale II (VABS II).

RESULTS

Sixty-one children were enrolled. Perinatal asphyxia (40.9%), neonatal hypoglycemia (14.8%), and neonatal meningitis (9.8%) were predominant causes among the children with known etiology. Favorable epilepsy outcome (seizure freedom for >6 months) was observed in 29/61 patients (47.5%). Moderate to severe developmental delay was observed in 55/61 children (91.8%). Favorable developmental outcome (GDS by DP3 >70) was observed in just 5/61 (8%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the high prevalence of developmental delay in this population of children with WS, with adverse perinatal events being the most common etiology.