Epileptic Disorders
MENUManagement of epilepsy in resource-limited settings Volume 17, issue 1, March 2015
TEST YOURSELF
(1) Why is the incidence of epilepsy so much higher in resource-limited countries than in the developed world?
(2) Why is phenobarbital still the drug of choice in resource-limited countries?
Answers
(1) This higher incidence is related to increased risk factors, such as poor perinatal care, a higher frequency of head injury, and a high prevalence of infectious and parasitic diseases in poor countries.
(2) Phenobarbital remains the drug of choice in resource-limited countries because of its low cost and its long half-life that possibly protects against withdrawal seizures if intake is abruptly stopped because of interrupted supply.