[Cysticercosis as the main cause of partial seizures in children in Peru].

BACKGROUND

Seizures are a common neurological problem in the pediatric population, and their etiologies in certain developing countries are still not clear. From previous studies it is well known that neurocysticercosis is the main cause of partial seizures in the adult population in Peru and in many developing countries, but the situation has not been clarified for the paediatric population yet.

METHODS

Fifty-four consecutive patients in pre- and school ages, with partial seizures, were evaluated in the outpatient clinics and emergency room of a public hospital in Lima. Evaluation consisted in clinical exam, computed tomography of the head, and in some cases serological evaluation.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven percent were diagnosed with neurocysticercosis, which was found to be the main cause.

CONCLUSIONS

The possible explanations may be the high incidence of neurocysticercosis in Peru, and the fact that epilepsy and seizures are the most common clinical manifestation of neurocysticercosis in children. These findings are also representative of the current situation in gravel developing countries.