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Neuropediatrics 1986; 17(3): 152-157
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1052517
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Results of Checking a Scoring System for Neonatal Seizures1

P. H. Ellison1 , J. L. Horn1 , S.  Franklin2 , M. G. Jones3
  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Denver, 2030 S. York Street, Denver, Colorado 80208, USA
  • 2Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 1700 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233, USA
  • 3Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, 322 Scaife Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
1 Funds for this research were granted in part by NINCDS - 1F33NS07435.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

We report the result of checking a scoring system for neonatal seizures in which information from the EEG, etiology, neurological examination, seizure type and birth weight are combined to predict neurological sequelae and to make decisions about treatment. The results for two samples are presented and compared. The first sample included 96 neonates; 103 neonates were evaluated in the second sample, yielding data from 199 neonates in the combined samples.
The scoring system served to separate neonates who had neurological sequelae at age 10 months or more from those who did not. In addition, the scoring system provided an excellent guide for treatment of neonatal seizures. Neonates with scores ≤ 4 can be safely discharged from the hospital without anticonvulsant therapy. At age three months a score of ≤ 5 can be used as a guideline for discontinuing anticonvulsant therapy.

Key words

Neonatal seizures - Scoring system - Neurological sequelae