Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41347602›Full record

SynthesisEpilepsia open2026

Prevalence and incidence of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Akanksha Singh, Parth Lal, Mohammed Safeer V S, Atishay Jain, Priyanka Madaan, Jitendra Kumar Sahu, Dipika Bansal

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Epilepsia open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Akanksha SinghDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar, India.ORCID 0000-0001-8242-1877
Parth LalPediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.ORCID 0009-0008-0829-5540
Mohammed Safeer V SDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar, India.ORCID 0009-0002-7393-4237
Atishay JainGovernment Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.ORCID 0009-0004-6868-3490
Priyanka MadaanPediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.ORCID 0000-0002-8526-4691
Jitendra Kumar SahuPediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.ORCID 0000-0001-5194-9951
Dipika BansalDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar, India.ORCID 0000-0003-4520-3293

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesInfantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy of infantile onset. While epidemiological data from Western countries and global estimates are available, consolidated evidence on the burden of IESS in India remains limited. Given India's large and diverse population, regional variations in healthcare access, diagnostic capabilities, and risk factors may significantly influence the prevalence of IESS. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the incidence and prevalence of IESS in India.

methodsWe conducted a comprehensive search across four electronic databases-PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science-in May 2025 to identify studies focusing on the prevalence and incidence of IESS in Indian settings. Data extraction was carried out using a standardized, predesigned extraction form. The methodological rigor of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for prevalence and incidence studies. A meta-analysis was conducted using the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation, with pooled estimates and corresponding 95% confidence intervals reported.

resultsA total of five eligible studies from different regions of India were included. The overall pooled prevalence of active cases of IESS was 3.33 per 100 000 population (95% CI, 1.46-5.82). A subgroup analysis was also conducted for the age group 0-18 years, yielding a pooled prevalence of 9.71 per 100 000 children surveyed (95% CI, 4.16-17.06). No studies reported the incidence of IESS in India. SIGNIFICANCE: The study is pivotal in estimating the burden of IESS in a low-middle-income country like India, where structural etiologies, treatment delays, and limited access to therapy pose major challenges. Although IESS accounts for only 0.5% of all epilepsies and 1.2% of epilepsy in children, its considerable clinical impact emphasizes the need for early recognition, standardized diagnostic protocols, and increased awareness among healthcare professionals and caregivers. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: This systematic review summarizes the current evidence on the prevalence of active cases of IESS in India. Based on five eligible studies, the overall pooled prevalence of active cases of IESS was 3.33 per 100 000 population and 9.71 per 100 000 children (<18 years). This study is the first to provide a consolidated estimate and a clearer understanding of the burden of IESS in India and may support clinicians and researchers in improving awareness and early recognition of this condition.

Indexed as

Spasms, InfantileHumansIncidenceIndiaInfantPrevalenceburdenepilepsyinfantile spasmsprevalence

Identifiers

PMID41347602
PMCPMC12903817

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.