응급실에 내원한 국내 간질중첩증 소아의 발생율과 특성

The Incidence and Characteristics of Children with Status Epilepticus who Visited Emergency Rooms in Korea: A Retrospective Seven-year Nationwide Review

Purpose: Status epilepticus (SE) is the most common life-threatening neurological condition in childhood. To clarify the incidence and outcome, we have evaluated the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of SE patients in Korea. Methods: In evaluating data from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS), we retrospectively analyzed patients, and classified them by age and sex distribution, body temperature, time on arrival, seasonal variation and treatment outcome. The patients were under 8 years old who visited 111 general hospital emergency rooms in Korea between 2007 and 2013. Results: There were 4,257 total patients enrolled in our study. The ratio of males to females was 1.11:1. The incidence of SE in Korean children was 14.5/100,000 in 2010, and the highest incidence was seen in patients 1 to 2 years old. We could not find a seasonal variation. Febrile patients with temperatures over 38 °C accounted for 1,901 patients(44.7%). Peak time on arrival was 6 p.m. to midnight for 1,301 patients (30.5%). 3,356 patients (78.8%) were admitted immediately for proper treatment, while 678 patients(15.9%) were allowed to go home after emergency treatment. Unfortunately, 4 patients (0.1%) died despite first aid. Conclusion: The most common age in SE is 1 to 2 years. Regarding the correlation of fever with SE, patients who exhibit fever accounted for almost half of the patients with SE. In our study, the mortality rate in emergency room was 0.1%. Therefore, anyone who is suspected to have SE should be immediately transferred to a general hospital with ICU facilities for intensive treatment under the direction of medical experts.