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.