Work

Paediatric Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension in Wales: A Retrospective Observational Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study measures the incidence and prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in children in Wales and assesses risk factors and health care utilisation. We identified 177 children (1-15 years) with IIH diagnosed between 2003 and 2017. Incidence increased from 1.6/100 000 per year (2003) to 3.5/100 000 per year (2017). Sixty-three percent of the cases were girls, and 87% were diagnosed between 7 and 15 years. Children in the most deprived quintile were more likely to develop IIH compared to children in the least deprived quintile (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7 [95%CI = 1.1-2.9]). Obese and overweight children were more likely to develop IIH compared with non-overweight children (ORs = 21 [95%CI = 9-51] and 5.1 [95%CI = 1.9-14]). Children with IIH had higher hospital admission rates than children without IIH (rate ratio = 3.9; 95% CI 3.6-4.3). The increasing incidence, association with BMI and deprivation, and increased health care utilisation in children with IIH are relevant findings to health care professionals and policy makers.

Source: Journal of Child Neurology

DOI: 10.1177/08830738261436139