Skip to main content
Log in

A pediatric case series of abdominal epilepsy

  • Brief report
  • Published:
World Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Abdominal epilepsy (AE) is an infrequent cause of recurrent abdominal pain in children. It is characterized by paroxysmal episodes of abdominal pain, a variety of other abdominal complaints, electroencephalogram abnormalities, and response to anti-epileptic agents. We described the clinical profile of six patients with AE.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective survey of AE in children from the records of the hospital. The diagnosis of AE was dependent on recurrent abdominal symptoms, subtle central nervous system abnormalities, electroencephalogram abnormalities and response to anticonvulsant agents.

Results

The six patients were diagnosed with AE. The incidence of the disease was 0.07% in all admissions to the pediatric ward. Recurrent pain was common in all patients except two who had additional recurrent vomiting. In this series, the boy to girl ratio (1:2) was unequal.

Conclusion

High suspicion is required for the diagnosis of AE after exclusion of other possible causes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zinkin NT, Peppercorn MA. Abdominal epilepsy. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2005;19:263–274.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Franzon RC, Lopes CF, Schmutzler KM, Morais MI, Guerreiro MM. Recurrent abdominal pain: when should an epileptic seizure be suspected? Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2002;60:628–630.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Dutta SR, Hazarika I, Chakravarty BP. Abdominal epilepsy, an uncommon cause of recurrent abdominal pain: a brief report. Gut 2007;56:439–441.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Ashir GM, Alhaji MA, Gofama MM, Ibrahim AB, Azuka NC. Abdominal epilepsy in a Nigerian child: A case report. S Afr J Child Health 2009;3:95–97.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kuo HC, Huang CC, Chu CC, Lee MJ, Chuang WL, Wu CL, et al. Neurological complications of acute intermittent porphyria. Eur Neurol 2011;66:247–252.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Drexler DL, Grill BB, Ashwal S. Spinal cord tumor-associated syrinx mimicking abdominal epilepsy: a rare cause of childhood abdominal pain. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1989;9:524–527.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Li BU, Lefevre F, Chelimsky GG, Boles RG, Nelson SP, Lewis DW, et al. North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition consensus statement on the diagnosis and management of cyclic vomiting syndrome. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2008;47:379–393.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rakesh Mondal.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mondal, R., Sarkar, S., Bag, T. et al. A pediatric case series of abdominal epilepsy. World J Pediatr 10, 80–82 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-014-0457-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-014-0457-1

Key words

Navigation