HOT WATER EPILEPSY: A CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Pathan Amanulla Khan1, Neda Fatima2, Naureen Fatima1, Juwerriah Nishaat1, B. B. Sarah Nousheen1*

1. Anwarul Uloom College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

ABSTRACT

Hot Water Epilepsy (HWE) is categorized as an infrequent form of reflex epilepsy where an episode is initiated by a hot water shower. The condition was first reported in New Zealand and has since been described in other parts of the world, with a majority of cases emerging from India. It is most commonly seen in male children. Temperatures between 40 and 50°C are known to trigger the seizure. However, pathogenesis of the disease is not clearly understood. The present study reports the occurrence of an epileptic episode in a 15-year-old female. The patient portrayed jerky movements of hands and legs on bathing with hot water and was immediately rushed to the hospital. She was administered intravenous fluids, along with injections ceftriaxone, ranitidine and midazolam, tablets paracetamol 650 mg and clobazam 10 mg and a multivitamin syrup. She recovered soon and was discharged thence. The patient was advised to reduce the water temperature especially while taking a head bath.

Keywords:

Hot Water Epilepsy (HWE), Reflex Epilepsy, Amnesia