NEONATAL SEIZURES IN THE UNITED-STATES - RESULTS OF THE NATIONAL HOSPITAL DISCHARGE SURVEY, 1980-1991

We present nationally representative estimates of neonatal seizure ris k by gender, race and geographic region of the United States. National Hospital Discharge Survey data were analyzed for the period 1980-1991 . Birth-weight-adjusted risks of neonatal seizures were calculated by the direct method for each gender or race group and for each census re gion by 4-year intervals. The overall risk of neonatal seizures was 2. 84 per 1,000 live births. Risk estimates were consistently higher in l ow-birth-weight infants (relative risk 3.9). Unadjusted risks were sim ilar across race and gender groups; birth weight adjustment had very l ittle effect. No clear temporal trend was apparent over the 12-year st udy period. National Hospital Discharge Survey data provide reasonable , although conservative, estimates of neonatal seizure risks nationwid e. Underascertainment of neonatal seizures, particularly among sick lo w-birth-weight infants, is likely due to data collection limitations o f the National Hospital Discharge Survey.