EFFECTS OF PUBERTY ON SEIZURE FREQUENCY

Seizure frequency was documented before, during and in some cases after puberty for 12 patients with continuing generalised tonic‐clonic seizures (GTCS) and for 14 with complex partial seizures (CPS) who were receiving anti‐epileptic drugs. For the patients with GTCS there was a significant increase in seizure frequency during the pubertal growth‐spurt, with a subsequent decrease after growth ceased. There appeared to be no relationship between puberty and the frequency of CPS. Both groups were more likely to have suboptimal plasma drug‐levels during puberty, suggesting that medication was not the cause of the increased GTCS frequency. Further examination of hormonal levels in relation to frequency of GTCS during puberty could provide a better understanding of the influence of hormones.

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