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Cited by 50Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurovascular DisturbancesTraumatic Brain Injury ResearchEpilepsy research and treatment

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Incidence and risk factors of posttraumatic epilepsy following pediatric traumatic brain injury: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Open access

Abstract

Posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) is a well‐known chronic complication following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Despite some evidence that age at the time of injury may influence the likelihood of PTE, the incidence of PTE in pediatric populations remains unclear. We therefore conducted a systematic review to determine the overall reported incidence of PTE, and explore potential risk factors associated with PTE after pediatric TBI. A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases was conducted, including randomized controlled trials and cohort studies assessing the incidence of PTE in TBI pediatric patients. We excluded studies with a sample size of <10 patients and those in which a pediatric cohort was not clearly discernable. The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) guidelines. We found that the overall incidence of PTE following pediatric TBI was 10% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.9%–15%). Subgroup analysis of a small number of studies demonstrated that the occurrence of early seizures (cumulative incidence ratio [CIR] = 7.28, 95% CI = 1.09–48.4, p = .040), severe TBI (CIR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.23–2.67, p < .001), and intracranial hemorrhage (CIR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.06–2.40, p = .024) increased the risk of PTE in this population. Other factors, including male sex and neurosurgical intervention, were nonsignificantly associated with a higher incidence of PTE. In conclusion, PTE is a significant chronic complication following childhood TBI, similar to in the adult population. Further standardized investigation into clinical risk factors and management guidelines is warranted. PROSPERO ID# CRD42021245802.

Overview

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TL;DR

This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the pooled incidence of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) at 10% (95% CI = 5.9%–15%) across 19 studies and 4374 patients. Early seizures, severe TBI, and intracranial hemorrhage were significantly associated with increased PTE risk, whereas male sex and neurosurgical intervention were not statistically significant.

Key findings

  • The pooled incidence of PTE following pediatric TBI was 10% (95% CI = 5.9%–15%), with high heterogeneity across the 19 included studies (I² = 95%).
  • Early seizures were associated with a higher incidence of PTE (CIR = 7.28, 95% CI = 1.09–48.4, p = .040).
  • Severe TBI (CIR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.23–2.67, p < .001) and intracranial hemorrhage (CIR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.06–2.40, p = .024) were also significantly associated with increased PTE incidence.
  • Female versus male sex (CIR = .89, 95% CI = .46–1.71, p = .72) and neurosurgical intervention (CIR = 1.43, 95% CI = .91–2.26, p = .12) were not significantly associated with PTE.

Methods

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis conducted according to PRISMA and a registered protocol (PROSPERO ID# CRD42021245802), searching PubMed, Ovid Embase, and Web of Science in May 2021 for randomized controlled trials and cohort studies of TBI patients younger than 18 years with sample size ≥10.
  • The final analysis included 19 articles with a pooled sample of 4374 pediatric TBI patients; median sample size was 109 (range = 41–1576), comprising 10 retrospective cohort studies, 7 prospective cohort studies, and 2 randomized controlled trials.
  • A random-effects meta-analysis using the DerSimonian and Laird method calculated pooled cumulative incidence; heterogeneity was assessed with I², meta-regression explored publication year and country, and subgroup meta-analyses with cumulative incidence ratios (CIRs) were performed where four or more studies were available.

Limitations

  • Stated: significant heterogeneity in reported clinical variables and very limited reporting meant few studies could be included in subgroup analyses, preventing thorough investigation of predisposing factors and clinical variables.
  • Stated: the search excluded non-English publications, and most included studies were retrospective, introducing bias and limiting the strength of conclusions.
  • Evident from the text: the pooled estimate had high heterogeneity (I² = 95%); subgroup analyses were univariate because confounding variables could not be accounted for; and age effects could not be analyzed due to lack of individual patient data and between-study variation in age reporting.

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/epi.17398

Cites

50 of 50 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Figures

FIGURE 1 PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) flowchart of article screening. PTE, posttraumatic epilepsy.
FIGURE 1 PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) flowchart of article screening. PTE, posttraumatic epilepsy.CC BY-NC · PubMed Central
FIGURE 2 Pooled incidence of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) incidence, with 95% confidence interval (CI).
FIGURE 2 Pooled incidence of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) incidence, with 95% confidence interval (CI).CC BY-NC · PubMed Central
FIGURE 3 Correlation between early postinjury seizures and posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). CI, confidence interval; IRR, incidence rate ratio.
FIGURE 3 Correlation between early postinjury seizures and posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). CI, confidence interval; IRR, incidence rate ratio.CC BY-NC · PubMed Central
FIGURE 4 Correlation between traumatic brain injury severity and posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). CI, confidence interval; IRR, incidence rate ratio.
FIGURE 4 Correlation between traumatic brain injury severity and posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). CI, confidence interval; IRR, incidence rate ratio.CC BY-NC · PubMed Central
FIGURE 5 Correlation between intracranial hemorrhage and posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). CI, confidence interval; IRR, incidence rate ratio.
FIGURE 5 Correlation between intracranial hemorrhage and posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). CI, confidence interval; IRR, incidence rate ratio.CC BY-NC · PubMed Central
FIGURE 6 Correlation between female sex and posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). CI, confidence interval; IRR, incidence rate ratio.
FIGURE 6 Correlation between female sex and posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). CI, confidence interval; IRR, incidence rate ratio.CC BY-NC · PubMed Central
FIGURE 7 Correlation between neurosurgical intervention and posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). CI, confidence interval; IRR, incidence rate ratio.
FIGURE 7 Correlation between neurosurgical intervention and posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE). CI, confidence interval; IRR, incidence rate ratio.CC BY-NC · PubMed Central
FIGURE 8 Funnel plot analysis. The apparent asymmetry suggests a lack of publication bias. PTE, posttraumatic epilepsy.
FIGURE 8 Funnel plot analysis. The apparent asymmetry suggests a lack of publication bias. PTE, posttraumatic epilepsy.CC BY-NC · PubMed Central

Verification

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Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

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Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. MoolaS MunnZ TufanaruC et al.Chapter 7: Systematic reviews of etiology and risk. Joanna briggs institute reviewer's manual The Joanna Briggs Institute. 2017; 5.
  2. 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2000.tb00363.x · doi:10.1111/j.1469-8749.2000.tb00363.x

Cited by

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Metadata

Authors
Mariajoseph, F. P., Chen, Z., Sekhar, P., Rewell, S. S., O'Brien, T. J., Antonic‐Baker, A., & Semple, B. D.
Affiliations
  • Monash University (AU)
  • The Alfred Hospital (AU)
  • The Royal Melbourne Hospital (AU)
Corresponding author
  • Antonic‐Baker, Ana
  • Semple, Bridgette D.
Venue
Epilepsia
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2022-09-04
Volume
63
Issue
11
Pages
2802-2812
ISSN
  • 0013-9580 (ISSN-L)
  • 1528-1167
OpenAlex
W4292714594
Cited by
50
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 1
FWCI
1.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Epilepsia (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Funders
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
  • U.S. Department of Defense
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Clinical Neurology › Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurovascular Disturbances
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Clinical Neurology › Traumatic Brain Injury Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Clinical Neurology › Epilepsy research and treatment
Keywords
post-traumatic epilepsy, pediatric traumatic brain injury, incidence, risk factors, early seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, severe traumatic brain injury, neurosurgical treatment, sex differences
MeSH terms
Brain Injuries, Traumatic, Adult, Child, Epilepsy, Post-Traumatic, Humans, Male, Risk Factors, Cohort Studies, Incidence

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