Background: Intractable epilepsy is defined as lack of seizure control on more than 2 first line antiepileptic drugs with an average of >1 seizure per month for 18 months and no more than 3 consecutive months seizure free during the interval.(1)

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the risk factors for intractable epilepsy in children .  

Method: A retrospective study was conducted with all the patients diagnosed as epilepsy. Files were reviewed from January 2013-July 2013. Univariate analysis was done to assess the risk factors of intractable epilepsy. Results are reported as the odds ratios (OR) with respective 95% CI.

Results: There were a total of 119 patients. Males were 58%. Age ranged  from 1 month to 16 years (mean 5.6 years). 40 % had normal and 59 % had abnormal EEG.Of children with abnormal EEG’s, 31 were receiving a single drug and 35 were receiving  more than 3 drugs. Developmental delay had an OR of 3.759 (95% CI 1.69-8.34). Onset of seizures in children before 2 years had an OR of 4.64 (95% CI 1.639-13.17). Polymorphic seizures had an OR of 2.78(CI 95%2.187-3.549) and generalized seizures an OR of 1.941 (CI 95% 0.912-4.13). Abnormal EEG increased the risk of intractable epilepsy (OR 3.99 CI 95% 1.68-9.44). MRI abnormality did not increase the risk of intractable epilepsy  

Conclusion: Early onset of seizures, developmental delay, seizure type and abnormal EEG increases the risk of intractable epilepsy in children