Saving Children's Lives

Chikankata Epilepsy and Febrile Seizure Study, Zambia

Contact

Dr. Gretchen Lano Birbeck, Director, International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program and Associate Professor, Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology; Department of Epidemiology

The ChEAFS (Chikankata Epilepsy and Febrile Seizure Study) outreach research project assesses the longitudinal neurological outcomes of Zambian children with fever-associated seizures (usually due to malaria) and the possible risk of higher epilepsy rates. During the research periods, 2002 to 2005, Birbeck also provided all the inpatient general pediatric physician services for Chikankata Hospital, and it has been noted that the pediatric mortality rate dropped 40% during her service. She also teaches Zambian medical students who are rotating through the service. The research has been published in numerous well-recognized journals and was presented at the 2005 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.

For more information, view the Gretchen Lano Birbeck's Web site .

Sources: Gretchen Lano Birbeck's Web site. Input from Dr. Gretchen Lano Birbeck.

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