Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39570184›Full record

ArticleEpilepsia open2025

Exome sequencing in Nigerian children with early-onset epilepsy syndromes.

Ibitayo Abigail Ademuwagun, Yagoub Adam, Solomon Oladapo Rotimi, Steffen Syrbe, Maximilian Radtke, Julia Hentschel, Johannes R Lemke, Ezekiel Adebiyi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Epilepsia open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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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

8 authors.

Ibitayo Abigail AdemuwagunCovenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.ORCID 0000-0001-9971-4617
Yagoub AdamCovenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.ORCID 0000-0001-6874-2543
Solomon Oladapo RotimiCovenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.ORCID 0000-0002-3678-9977
Steffen SyrbeHeidelberg University, Medical Faculty of Heidelberg, Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Department 1, Division of Pediatric Epileptology, Heidelberg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0003-2543-4844
Maximilian RadtkeInstitute of Human Genetics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
Julia HentschelInstitute of Human Genetics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
Johannes R LemkeInstitute of Human Genetics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-4435-6610
Ezekiel AdebiyiCovenant University Bioinformatics Research (CUBRe), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.ORCID 0000-0002-1390-2359

Funding

WEST AFRICAN SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION TRAINING IN BIOINFORMATICS RESEARCH (WASLITBRe)U2RTW010679 · FIC · COVENANT UNIVERSITY · PI ADEBIYI, EZEKIEL FEMI, AMOAKO-YIRENKYI, PETER · 2017 to 2021
$1.4M
FIC NIH HHS U2R TW010679the NIH Forgarty International Center 1U2RTW010679
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveNigeria, along with other Sub-Saharan African countries, bears the highest burden of epilepsy worldwide. This high prevalence is attributed to a combination of factors, including a significant incidence of infectious diseases, perinatal complications, and genetic etiologies. Genetic testing is rarely available and is not typically included in the routine diagnostic work-up for individuals with infantile and childhood epilepsy syndromes in these regions. Exome sequencing (ES) offers a diagnostic yield of 24%-62%, but these figures primarily reflect data from high-income countries (HICs) and may not be applicable to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this study, we employed ES to investigate the genetic basis of early-onset epilepsy in 22 affected children from Nigeria.

methodsThe study involved sampling of patients diagnosed with early-onset epilepsy syndromes at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Neurology clinic. Venous blood samples were collected, and genomic DNA was isolated and purified. Molecular analysis included DNA fragmentation, ligation, target enrichment, library preparation, and whole-exome sequencing. Computational analysis involved variant calling, curation, and classification using specialized tools and databases.

resultsPathogenic variants were identified in 6 out of 22 individuals, equaling a diagnostic yield of 27.3% and comprising variants in BPTF, NAA15, SCN1A, TUBA1A and twice in CACNA1A. SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, we present the first exome study on early-onset epilepsy syndromes from West Africa, facilitated by a Nigerian-German research collaboration. Our findings reveal a genetic diagnostic yield comparable to that of HICs. The integration of genomic medicine into epilepsy management in Nigeria holds promising prospects for improving patient care and reducing mortality rates. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: This study represents the first published exome findings in Nigerian children with early-onset epilepsy, revealing a genetic diagnosis in 27% of cases. Pathogenic variants were identified in five genes amongst 6 of 22 patients, underscoring the potential of genetic testing to enhance epilepsy management in developing nations like Nigeria.

Indexed as

EpilepsyEpileptic SyndromesExome SequencingAge of OnsetChildChild, PreschoolExomeFemaleGenetic TestingHumansInfantMaleNigeriadevelopmental and epileptic encephalopathiesgenetic variantsNigeriapersonalized medicinewhole‐exome studies

Identifiers

PMID39570184
PMCPMC11803284

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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 OpenQuestion graph.