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Period Prevalence of Epilepsy in Children in BC: A Population-Based Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Veronica Schiariti ,
Kevin Farrell ,
Jill S. Houbé  and
Sarka Lisonkova
Veronica Schiariti*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Centre for Community Child Health Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Kevin Farrell
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Jill S. Houbé
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Centre for Community Child Health Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sarka Lisonkova
Affiliation:
Centre for Health Innovation and Improvement, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
*
Centre for Community Child Health Research, University of British Columbia, Shaughnessy Bldg., L408-4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3V4, Canada.
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Abstract

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Background:

Most estimates of the prevalence of seizure disorders in Canada derive from national surveys which differ in sampling and case-finding methods. This study used health care utilization data to make a population-based estimate of the prevalence of epileptic seizures and of epilepsy in children in British Columbia (BC).

Methods:

All BC residents between 0-19 years-of-age in 2002-3 enrolled in the Medical Services Plan were included. Epileptic seizures were defined using ICD-9 codes; health care utilization data was obtained from BC Linked Health Database. The period prevalence of epileptic seizures and of epilepsy was determined by age, urban/rural region and socioeconomic status.

Results:

8,125 of 1,013,816 children were identified as having an epileptic seizure of which 5,621 were classified as epilepsy - 5.5 per 1,000 children (95% CI: 5.4-5.7). The prevalence of epilepsy in infants and preschoolers was higher than that reported in the literature. A higher prevalence of epilepsy was observed also among those with low socioeconomic status. A higher prevalence of epilepsy was observed in those health regions with a higher proportion of First Nations and a lower prevalence was observed in health regions with a higher proportion of visible minorities.

Conclusions:

Age-specific prevalence rates in BC children for epilepsy, determined from population-based administrative records, were similar to published data except in children under five years. We found a gradient of increased prevalence with decreased level of income. Prevalence rates based on utilization data have the potential to guide program planning for children with epileptic seizures.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 36 , Issue 1 , January 2009 , pp. 36 - 41
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2009

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