CHILDHOOD ABSENCE EPILEPSY: CLINICAL AND EEG FINDINGS

Objectives: Evaluation anamnestic, clinical and EEG data in absence childhood epilepsy on our sample.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed the data of clinical and EEG characteristics in 27 children (11 boys and 16 girls), age 4–12 years, with childhood absence epilepsy. Clinical data that we have been collected: age of onsent, characteristics of seizuresm, evidence of other type of seizures, response on treatment, and learning problems. EEG data that have been followed: background activity, duration of generalized spike-wave patterns, focal onset of epileptic generalized discharges, isolated interictal epileptics discharges, hyperventilation and photic stimulation test. Results: Clinical data: there was two type of seizues: simple seizures (stearing alone) in 19 children and complex seizures (stearing associated with motor phenomena) in 8 children. In two children there was other type of seizures. Monotherapy was performed in 17 patients,10 was on polytherapy, with good response on treatment within three weeks (Valproate and Etosuximide, or both). Learning problems were present in one child. Electroencephalographic data: beckgraund activity was age apropriet in all children. Maximum duration of generalized s-w patterns was 20s. Focal onsent of generalized pattern was found in 17 children and interictal isolated epileptic discharges was in 15 of them. Hyperventilation test induce generalized EEG pattern in 18 children. Photic stimulation produce photoparocsismal response in 8 children without photoconvulsive response.

Conclusion: In this study we analysed both clinical and EEG findings. We identified a subgroup of children with focal onsent of generalized EEG patterns and isolated focal discharges in most of them. Most of children with complex absence seizures belongs this subgroup. But there is no significant influence this findings on outcome of seizures controle and learnings abilities.