The adaptability of health care professionals to the new neonatal seizure classification : ILAE-2020

Background: A common language in neonatal seizure classification is needed for healthcare professionals, including neurologists, epileptologists, neonatologists, pediatric residents as well as EEG technicians, and nurses in NICU. The Task Force of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE-2020) proposed a new neonatal seizure classification.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the adaptability of ILAE’s new neonatal seizure classification among health care professionals (pediatric residents, neonatologists, pediatric neurologists, EEG tech, and nurses) with a modular education program (MEP).

Methods: A single-day MEP consisting of four modules for ILAE-2020 and Volpe’s seizure classification-2001 with 80 illustrative videos and an instruction manual kit including a seizure determinator and glossary of terms, was prepared by the advisory board. The MEP-1 including 40 videos was applied to 100 health care professionals (pediatric residents; 20, pediatric neurologists: 20, neonatologists: 20, nurses: 20, EEG technician: 20). The pre-MEP test and post-MEP-1 test will be applied to the participants. A booster education program with MEP-2 with a case-based, interactive, digitized seminar will be applied in the second months of MEP-1. Then a post-MEP-2 test will be carried out after three months using 20 new videos.

Expected Results: The success rate of the MEP modules will be defined for focal motor seizures, focal non-motor seizures, and non-epileptic paroxysmal phenomena. The possible most commonly confused seizure type in the ILAE 2020 will be discussed.

Conclusion: The presented MEP suggests that the ILAE-2020 neonatal seizure classification is applicable to the health professional in NICU.
Keywords: Classification of neonatal seizures, training program