The Nutritional Profile Among Children with Epilepsy at Sanglah Hospital

Abstract

One million people live with epilepsy in Indonesia. The using of antiepileptic drug for the long time can affect the nutritional and growth profile among children with epilepsy. The purpose of this study is to determine the characteristics of nutritional profile among children with epilepsy at Sanglah Hospital Denpasar. This study is an observational retrospective study using a descriptive design that examined the nutritional profile among hospitalized children with epilepsy at the pediatric neurology ward at Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar. This study was done retrospectively based on secondary data since January 1, 2017 until December 31, 2019, with 95 samples population were collected. The mean age of sample population was 5,4 years (SD±4.3) with majority samples were male 60 children (63.1%) and female were 35 children (36,9%). The majority of samples had general epilepsy 59 children (62.1%), followed by focal epilepsy 23 children (24.2%) and general combined focal epilepsy 13 children (13.7%). In this study, the most common etiology of epilepsy were idiopathic 53 children (55.8%), followed by structural 30 children (31.6%), infection 8 children (8.4%), immunology and metabolic 4 children (4.2%). The most of sample population had normal nutritional status based on waterlow method (weight for height) was 55,4% and height for age was 74,7%. However, there were increasing number of overweight/obesity was 14 children (14,7%) with history of prolonged anti epileptic drug more than 12 month that using phenobarbital, phenytoin, and valproic acid for medication. The short stature was noted among 24 children (25,3%) of samples, with history of phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine medication. Sample population with moderate of protein energy malnutrition was 8 children (8.4%) with dysfunction of oromotor. We conclude that almost children with epilepsy at Sanglah hospital had normal nutritional status and height stature. However regular follow up of antropometric status and diagnostic serum calcium, and folic acid should be done for early detection of overweight and obesity along with short stature.