Biomedical subjects

N Fejerman

Publications and source records attributed to N Fejerman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Levetiracetam in a broad population of patients with refractory epilepsy: interim results of the international SKATE trial.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess the safety and efficacy of levetiracetam in patients with uncontrolled focal epilepsy, in a common practice-based setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this phase IV, open-label, 16-week community-based study, adult patients with focal seizures initially received levetiracetam 1,000 mg/day. Throughout the study, the dose was adjusted in increments of 1,000 mg (maximum 3,000 mg/day) to achieve seizure control and maintain tolerability. The outcome parameters were the percentage reduction in partial and total seizure frequency per week from historical baseline, global evaluation scale (GES), and adverse events (AE). RESULTS: Seven hundred and thirty-one patients were included in this analysis and 84.4% completed the study. The median percent reduction in all seizures was 47.8%, and 49.3% for all partial seizures. The 50% responder rate was 49%, and the seizure-free rate was 17.2% for all partial seizures. Approximately 60% of patients showed moderate to marked improvement on the GES. The majority of AE were of mild to moderate severity; the most commonly reported being asthenia, somnolence, headache, and dizziness. CONCLUSION: Levetiracetam is both efficacious and safe as an add-on therapy in patients with refractory epilepsy treated by clinicians in their daily practice.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Linkage of benign familial infantile convulsions to chromosome 16p12-q12 suggests allelism to the infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis syndrome.

The syndrome of benign familial infantile convulsions (BFIC) is an autosomal dominant epileptic disorder that is characterized by convulsions, with onset at age 3-12 mo and a favorable outcome. BFIC had been linked to chromosome 19q, whereas the infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis (ICCA) syndrome, in which BFIC is associated with paroxysmal dyskinesias, had been linked to chromosome 16p12-q12. BFIC appears to be frequently associated with paroxysmal dyskinesias, because many additional families from diverse ethnic backgrounds have similar syndromes that have been linked to the chromosome 16 ICCA region. Moreover, one large pedigree with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesias only, has also been linked to the same genomic area. This raised the possibility that families with pure BFIC may be linked to chromosome 16 as well. We identified and studied seven families with BFIC inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Genotyping was performed with markers at chromosome 19q and 16p12-q12. Although chromosome 19q could be excluded, evidence for linkage in the ICCA region was found, with a maximum two-point LOD score of 3.32 for markers D16S3131 and SPN. This result proves that human chromosome 16p12-q12 is a major genetic locus underlying both BFIC and paroxysmal dyskinesias. The unusual phenotype displayed by one homozygous patient suggests that variability of the ICCA syndrome could be sustained by genetic modifiers.

Age of Onset↗

PubMed2001

Atypical evolution in childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms (Panayiotopoulos type).

We report, on two, school-age girls with clinical and electroencephalographic features of early onset childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms (CEOP) of the "Panayiotopoulos type" that showed atypical evolution. Neurological examination and brain imaging were normal in both. One child presented at age 2.5 years episodes of oculocephalic deviation, and ictal vomiting during nocturnal sleep. The EEG showed left occipital spikes during wakefulness and sleep. One year later, frequent inhibitory seizures appeared in the lower limbs causing, "pseudoataxic gait". At the same time she presented with behavioral disturbances and aphasia. EEG showed bilateral spike-waves while awake and continuous spike-waves during slow sleep (CSWSS). After switching AEDs to benzodiazepines, control of seizures along with improvement of behavior, and partial restoration of cognitive functions were achieved. The CSWSS disappeared and the last EEG at age 8 years only showed only isolated right occipital spikes. The other girl had a personal and familial history of febrile seizures. At 4 years of age she presented the first non-febrile seizures during sleep, with oculocephalic deviation and ictal vomiting, followed by a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Partial control of seizures was obtained with antiepileptic drugs. At age 7, the child began to have weekly episodes of oculocephalic version, occasionally with secondary generalization. Repeated inhibitory seizures and absences also appeared. EEG showed frequent bilateral spikes occupying predominantly the posterior regions while awake, and CSWSS. At 7.5 years the same electro-clinical picture persisted. Ethosuximide was added to sodium valproate and clobazam. Fifteen days later, the seizures disappeared and the EEG showed less frequent bilateral occipital spikes. She is now 9 years old and she has been seizure-free for 18 months. Her present neuropsychological profile shows mild mental retardation. The two children with typical electroclinical features of "Panayiotopoulos Type" CEOP developed an atypical evolution which, to our knowledge, has not been described previously.

Child↗

PubMed2000

Panayiotopoulos-type benign childhood occipital epilepsy: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical and EEG features of the syndrome of benign childhood partial seizures with ictal vomiting and EEG occipital spikes (Panayiotopoulos syndrome [PS]). METHODS: Prospective study of children with normal general and neurologic examinations who had seizures with ictal vomiting and EEG with occipital spikes. RESULTS: From February 1990 to 1997, the authors found 66 patients with PS and 145 children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes. Peak age at onset of PS was 5 years. Ictal deviation of the eyes and progression to generalized seizures were common. One-third had partial status epilepticus. During sleep, all had seizures. While awake, one-third also had seizures. Five children with PS had concurrent symptoms of rolandic epilepsy and another five developed rolandic seizures after remission of PS. Prognosis was excellent: one-third had a single seizure, one-half had two to five seizures, and only 4.5% had frequent seizures. CONCLUSIONS: Panayiotopoulos-type benign childhood occipital epilepsy is less common than benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes but is well defined and recognizable by clinical and EEG features.

Brain↗

PubMed2000

Focal polymicrogyria in mother and son.

This 9-year-old boy was admitted at the age of 2 with a diagnosis of congenital hemiparesis while the rest of physical and neurological examination was normal. His score in the Wechsler intelligence scale was 80. Right fronto-parietal cortical dysplasia with hemisphere atrophy was evident by computerized tomography scanning and magnetic resonance imaging. The latter, also disclosed abnormal thick cortex which was interpreted as polymicrogyria or pachygyria. Karyotype was normal. He had a hemifacial motor seizure at the age of 7. At the age of 8 frequent atonic or inhibitory seizures were presented. Asymmetric bilateral spike discharges with high voltage in the right hemisphere during the EEG recording were found. His mother, a 35-year-old woman (Full scale; Adult intelligence scale: 85) also had congenital hemiparesis. She never had seizures and her EEG was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed right fronto-parietal cortical dysplasia with ipsilateral hemisphere atrophy. Karyotype was normal. Our cases should be interpreted as a familial presentation of the anomaly, probably with autosomal-dominant transmission.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Atypical evolutions of benign localization-related epilepsies in children: are they predictable?

PURPOSE: To emphasize that, in some patients, different atypical evolutions occur in the course of so-called benign focal epilepsies of childhood (BFEC) and to promote interest in finding clinical and/or electroencephalographic (EEG) clues to which patients might be prone to these risky evolutions. METHODS: Twenty-six patients who started with the typical clinical and EEG features of benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS) but who had reversible or persistent, serious epileptic events including status epilepticus and language, cognitive, or behavioral impairments were followed for </=14 years. Repeated neurologic examinations, EEG records, and neuropsychological evaluations were done, and brain-imaging studies [computerized axial tomography (CAT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] were obtained in all patients. RESULTS: The 26 patients were in four separate groups according to the nature of their atypical evolution. Eleven children had atypical benign focal epilepsy of childhood (ABFEC), three with Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS), seven with status epilepticus of BCECTS, and five with mixed features of the other three groups. All the children whose BCECTS evolved into ABFEC have finally recovered and are attending normal schools, although five have learning difficulties. Two of the three patients diagnosed with LKS recovered from aphasia, although some language difficulties persist in one. The seven who showed status epilepticus of BCECTS are now normal after 3-14 years of follow-up, and three of the five children showing mixed features fulfilled the criteria for a diagnosis of epilepsy with continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS). CONCLUSIONS: A small proportion of cases starting with BCECTS evolve into ABFEC, LKS, status of BCECTS, or epilepsy with CSWS. In such cases, BCECTS is not always benign. Clinical and EEG markers should be sought to predict these atypical evolutions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Vigabatrin as a first-choice drug in the treatment of West syndrome.

This is a prospective study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vigabatrin as first-choice monotherapy in infants with West syndrome. One hundred sixteen patients with newly diagnosed West syndrome were studied in Argentina, from June 1994 to April 1998. The follow-up ranged from 17 to 40 months (mean, 23 months). Vigabatrin was administered upon diagnosis, starting with a 50-mg/kg/day dose and increasing 50 mg/kg every 48 hours to reach a maximum dose of 200 mg/kg/day. Twenty-nine percent of cases were considered to be cryptogenic or idiopathic West syndrome, while 70.7% were symptomatic. Response to vigabatrin treatment was measured according to five categories: (1) seizures free: 61.8% of cases for cryptogenic and 29.3% for symptomatic West syndrome, (2) more than 75% reduction in the number of infantile spasms: 14.7% for cryptogenic and 26.8% for symptomatic West syndrome, (3) from 50% to 74% reduction in the number of infantile spasms: 11.8% for cryptogenic and 24.4% for symptomatic West syndrome, (4) poor or null response: 11.8% for cryptogenic and 18.3% for symptomatic West syndrome, and (5) increase in the number of infantile spasms: one symptomatic case (1.2%). All seizure-free cryptogenic cases showed normal neuropsychic development. The most effective dose of vigabatrin was 150 mg/kg of body weight per day. The most frequent adverse events were somnolence in 19 cases and irritability in 15 cases, but none required treatment interruption.

Anticonvulsants↗

PubMed2000

Drop episodes in Coffin-Lowry syndrome: an unusual type of startle response.

We present a patient with a complete Coffin-Lowry syndrome, associated with drop episodes precipitated by sudden auditory stimuli, which provoked in turn, a definite loss of muscle tone in both legs. Electrophysiological studies showed that these episodes are an unusual type of startle response and that they may be associated with Coffin-Lowry syndrome.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1999

Epidemiological, clinical, and electrodiagnostic findings in childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome: a reappraisal.

We evaluated 61 children with Guillain-Barré syndrome, 14 months to 14 years of age, admitted to the Hospital Nacional de Pediatria in Buenos Aires. According to the electrodiagnostic findings, they fit into two groups, those with acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) (18 patients) and those with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) (43 patients). Ninety percent of the children with AMAN resided in suburban or rural areas without running water, whereas half of the AIDP patients lived in a metropolitan district. Summer and winter months showed a higher incidence of both variants. Children with AMAN were younger, evolved more acutely, reached a higher maximum disability score, required assisted ventilation more often, had lower mean level of cerebrospinal fluid protein, improved more slowly, and had a poorer outcome 6 months and 12 months after onset. Electrophysiological findings in those with AIDP revealed a pattern of severe diffuse slowing in children 5 years old or younger and a multifocal pattern in children 6 years old or older. This difference was not reflected in the clinical picture. In contrast, AMAN showed a uniform pattern with normal sensory conduction, severely reduced compound muscle action potential amplitude, near normal conduction velocity, and early denervation. Epidemiological, clinical, electrodiagnostic, cerebrospinal fluid, and prognostic data indicate that these variants of Guillain-Barré syndrome should be regarded as different entities.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

A particular type of epilepsy in children with congenital hemiparesis associated with unilateral polymicrogyria.

PURPOSE: Polymicrogyria (PMG) is often associated with symptomatic focal epilepsy and neurologic dysfunction. We investigated the clinical and laboratory features of a group of children with congenital hemiparesis, unilateral polymicrogyria on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and a peculiar epileptic syndrome. METHODS: Twelve patients (seven girls and five boys) with a mean age of 7.8 years (range, 5-13 years) were studied. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, computed tomography (CT) and MRI scanning, and neuropsychological assessment at initial examination. Patients were followed up from 1 to 7 years (mean, 4.5 years). RESULTS: Partial motor seizures with secondary generalization with onset between age 1 and 6 years (mean age, 2 years) were recorded in all patients. The course of epilepsy was similar in all patients with development of atypical absences, negative myoclonus, and gait difficulties. EEG recording demonstrated continuous spike-wave or bilateral abnormality throughout. Frequent relapses of the atonic and myoclonic seizures were seen in seven patients. However, during follow-up, seven patients were seizure free, and the others have not developed this particular seizure pattern. A single case underwent cortical resection 23 months ago and has had no seizures since then. Mental retardation was mild in nine and moderate in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Children with unilateral polymicrogyria may develop a syndrome of negative myoclonus seizures that appears to be age specific and responsive to antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment. Despite limited follow-up time, a good outcome was observed in most cases.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Nerve biopsy in children with severe Guillain-Barré syndrome and inexcitable motor nerves.

The presence of inexcitable motor nerves early in the course of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) identifies a subgroup of patients with more severe disease and delayed recovery. How frequently these electrodiagnostic findings reflect a primary axonal attack ("axonal" GBS) is controversial. We present two children with severe acute GBS, delayed recovery, and residual disability despite early treatment with human immunoglobulin. They had inexcitable motor nerves at days 6 and 7, and profuse fibrillations and positive waves on subsequent studies. Clinically and electrodiagnostically, both children's disease resembled the acute motor-sensory axonal variant of GBS (AMSAN). Sensory and motor nerve biopsies revealed severe macrophage-associated demyelination with axonal degeneration of variable severity. We conclude that clinical and electrodiagnostic features cannot discriminate between the "axonal" and demyelinating GBS. Early and severe demyelination with secondary axonal damage may mimic clinically and electrophysiologically the AMSAN variant of GBS.

Biopsy↗

PubMed1998

[Ketogenic diet: efficacy and tolerability in childhood intractable epilepsy].

INTRODUCTION: Prospective study to evaluate efficacy of ketogenic diet (KD) in the treatment of children with intractable epilepsies (IE). Tolerability of the KD was also considered. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Criteria for inclusion were: 1. Epilepsy refractary to treatments with antiepileptic drugs (AED) in monotherapy and combining two or three AED. 2. Acknowledgment of blood levels of these drugs in therapeutic range. 3. Absence of liver or kidney disease, metabolic abnormalities, inborn errors of metabolism or other progressive encephalopathies. 4. Family supposedly in economic and psychologic conditions to accept the difficulties of strictly maintaining KD. We used a classic KD following the criteria suggested by the John Hopkins Pediatrics Epilepsy Center. Baseline neurological and physical examination, EEG, blood chemistry including lipid profile were obtained prior to initiative and during the KD. KD efficacy was measured as percent reduction of baseline seizures frequency, considering positive results as reductions of 50% or over. Acceptance of the diet and quality of life were specially considered. Eighteen patients with ages from 2 to 11 years were admitted. Ten of them were males. Diagnosis followed the last Classification of Epileptic Syndromes of the ILAE, and distribution was: Symptomatic partial epilepsies, 8 cases (one had West syndrome at age 5 months); cryptogenic partial epilepsies, 1 case; Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, 2 cases; severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, 6 cases and epilepsy with myoclonic astatic seizures 1 case. RESULTS: Four patients were not able to achieve persistent ketosis either due to patient's rejection of KD or to parents non compliance. KD was kept for at least two months before considering failures. Five patients did not show significant improvement and KD was stopped. At present nine patients have been on KD from 6 to 24 months (average 16 months). Four of them showed a 75-100% reduction in seizures frequency and in three the reduction was of 50-75%. CONCLUSIONS: KD was fairly well tolerated by 14 of 18 children and their families. Fifty percent of the 14 patients complying KD showed significant improvement in seizure frequency and in quality of life. Due to the small number of patients and short follow-up, we can not speculate about results in relation to each epileptic syndrome, neither the risk of late complications.

Child↗

PubMed1998

[Symptomatic West's syndrome: specific etiological link to unexpected response to treatment].

INTRODUCTION: It has been known that patients with symptomatic West Syndrome (WS) generally show poor responses to classic treatment, either steroids or antiepileptic drugs (AED). However new evidences arose in the last few years showing that particular association of WS with Down Syndrome (DS), type 1 Neurofibromatosis (NF1) and cerebral palsy (CP) with periventricular leukomalacia (PL) tend to behave as cryptogenic or idiopathic cases showing control of infantile spasms (IS) and disappearance of hypsarrhythmia after treatment. The special case of vigabatrin as treatment for IS in babies with Tuberous Sclerosis is also an example. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 15 patients with WS and DS with a follow-up of 1.5 to 9 years, 5 patients with WS and NF1 followed-up form 2 to 6 years and 10 patients with WS associated with CP and PL followed-up during 2.5 to 12 years. Seizures frequency, EEG and responses to treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: 1. WS and DS: IS had onset at a mean age of 6.5 months. No other type of seizures was registered. EEG showed typical hypsarrhythmia in 12 cases and asymmetric hypsarrhythmia 3. IS disappeared and EEG were normalized after 15 days of treatment in 10 patients and after 6 months in other 4 patients. Three patients presented myoclonic seizures and one motor partial seizures during follow-up, all of them responding to AED. 2. WS and NF1: Onset of IS took place between 4 and 9 months of age. EEG were hypsarrhythmic in all 5 patients. Four of them were seizure free after usual steroids treatment and showed no relapse during follow-up. 3. WS and CP associated with PL: These were 9 males and 1 female with IS starting at a mean age of 6.5 months, without history prior seizures. All EEG showed hypsarrhythmia. IS stopped and EEG became normal during the first month of treatment in 9 patients. In the other one the IS arrested with the use of vigabatrin 10 months after onset. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with these particular etiologies associated with WS do not behave as the usual symptomatic cases of WS in their response to classic treatment of IS. In fact the control of IS and normalization of EEG had been as good or better than in cases of cryptogenic WS. Care should them be taken not to generalized the usual concept about poor prognosis of WS in the so called symptomatic cases.

Anticonvulsants↗

PubMed1998

[Rasmussen syndrome].

INTRODUCTION: Rasmussen's encephalitis is a neurological disorder probably of immunological origin, characterized by intractable epilepsy, neurological deterioration and the presence of antibodies against R3 glutamate receptors. OBJECTIVE: To present the experience of an Argentinian Paediatric Neurology Service during the past 7 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the clinical histories of 12 patients with RS as defined by the diagnostic criteria proposed by Hart et al. We evaluated the following parameters: neurological examination, neuropsychological assessment, types of crises, age of onset, frequency, distribution, electroencephalogram, video EEG, evoked potentials, neuro-radiological studies; CT and cerebral MR using gadolinium, SPECT, lumbar puncture and cerebral biopsy. RESULTS: The crises were of simple partial motor type in 12 cases, secondarily generalized partial crises in 7 cases, complex partial crises in 4 cases and partial and generalized motor states in 8 cases. RESULTS. The ictal EEGs during the continuous partial crises showed contralateral focal slow activity of the affected side of the body in 30% of cases. The neuro-radiological studies (CT and MR) showed signs of cerebral hemiatrophy in all 12 cases, hyper-intense images in the T2 sequences of the fronto-temporo-parietal regions in 5 cases, an asymmetric megacisterna magna in 1 case and hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis in another case. CONCLUSIONS: The continuous partial crises showed little correlation with the electro-encephalography. Following administration of i.v. gammaglobulin there was a transient halt in progression of the neurological deterioration and control of the crises in 55% of the cases. Surgery continued to be the treatment recommended for control of the epileptic crises.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Benign paroxysmal tonic upward gaze syndrome].

INTRODUCTION: The benign paroxysmal tonic upward gaze syndrome (BPTUG) is a rare condition. We present two new cases analyzing the clinical, genetic, evolution and therapeutic aspects. CLINICAL CASES: Case 1. A 2 year-old girl with no family history of similar disorders started, at the age of 6 months, to have episodes of upward deviation of gaze with hyperextension of the neck and vertical nystagmus of fixation, increased by nervousness and episodes of fever. Some episodes caused the patient to fall in spite of there being no alteration of consciousness. Case 2. From the age of five months a 1 year-old girl with no significant personal or family history had episodes of ocular deviation upwards with forward inclination of the head to correct her gaze and slow motor development from the age of five months. RESULTS: Complementary studies were normal in both patients. As in the cases described in the literature, our cases had no family history and were not sensitive to Dopa. To date 11 children have been described in the literature and few familial cases seen with dominant autosomal inheritance. CONCLUSIONS: Our patients had a non-epileptic paroxystic phenomenon known as BPTUG syndrome. This condition starts during the first year of life, has a benign course and the episodes have ceased by the age of four years. We believe it is important to consider the differential diagnosis with epileptic phenomena, evaluate the response to L-Dopa and bear in mind that this syndrome may be the clinical expression of several different conditions. Although the course is usually benign, it may later be associated with other signs of neurological problems which should be taken into account.

Antiparkinson Agents↗

PubMed1998

[Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical, electro-encephalographic and evolutionary characteristics of a series of patients diagnosed as having benign neonatal sleep myoclonus (BNSM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical histories of 21 patients with BNSM were analyzed. Criteria for inclusion in the study were: neonates who had had more than one episode of myoclonia during sleep and in whom neurological examination and psychomotor development were normal. CRITERIA FOR EXCLUSION: Patients with myoclonia while awake, a perinatal history which included significant pathology and/or the diagnosis of epilepsy. The period of evolution varied from 6 months to 5 years, and the following parameters were considered: clinical features of the myoclonia, neurological examination, psychomotor development and evolution. EEG were done between crises in all patients. In 5 cases we recorded EEG during crises and in 2 cases video-EEG were done. RESULTS: The study group was made up of 11 girls and 10 boys. The myoclonia started between the first and twenty third day of age (average = 7 days). Fifteen (71.4%) of the patients had generalized myoclonia, mainly in the distal part of the upper limbs in 13 and in the lower limbs in two. In 20 cases (95.2%) jerking was of short duration, lasting 10 to 20 seconds. In one case, the jerks were repeated in series lasting 30 minutes. Two patients later developed benign myoclonia of early infancy. The myoclonia disappeared before the age of 7 months in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: BNSM is seen in healthy newborns and disappear spontaneously during the first months of live. Differential diagnosis with epileptic seizures is imperative in order to avoid unnecessary medication.

Child↗

PubMed1997

A double-blind controlled clinical trial of oxcarbazepine versus phenytoin in children and adolescents with epilepsy.

In many countries oxcarbazepine (OXC) has been registered for use as first-line and add-on treatment for patients with partial seizures with or without secondarily generalized seizures (PS) and generalized tonic-clonic seizures without partial onset (GTCS). Its use as monotherapy in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed epilepsy was investigated in this double-blind, randomized, parallel-group comparison with phenytoin (PHT). A total of 193 patients aged 5-18 years with either PS or GTCS were enrolled. After a retrospective baseline assessment, patients were randomized to OXC or PHT in a 1:1 ratio. The double-blind treatment phase comprised two periods: an 8-week flexible titration period; followed by 48 weeks maintenance treatment. In the efficacy analyses, there were no statistically significant differences between OXC and PHT. Forty-nine (61%) patients in the OXC group and 46 (60%) in the PHT group were seizure-free during the maintenance period. In total, 24 patients in the OXC group discontinued treatment prematurely (two for tolerability reasons) compared with 34 in the PHT group (14 for tolerability reasons). The number of premature discontinuations due to adverse experiences was statistically significantly lower in the OXC group than in the PHT group. Moreover, the odds of an individual discontinuing prematurely (regardless of reason) were almost twice as high in the PHT group. This trial provides further support for the efficacy and safety of OXC as first-line treatment in children and adolescents with PS and GTCS. In addition, the results show that OXC in these patients has significant advantages over PHT in terms of tolerability and treatment retention.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

[Benign infantile familial convulsions].

INTRODUCTION: Benign Infantile Familial Convulsions (HBIFC), are characterized by brief partials seizures, occasionally with secondary generalization, with onset in the first year of life, family history of similar electroclinical seizures and same age of appearance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We presented 16 patients, 10 girls and 6 boys, evaluated in our Service between 1990-1996. We analyzed, age of onset of the seizures, sex, family history of epilepsy, neurologic exam, semiology, distribution, frequency and duration of the seizures, EEG, neuroradiologic studies and evolution. RESULTS: The patients had partial seizures, which occurred mainly in clusters, with onset ranged from 3 to 8 months, with normal neurological exam and psychomotor development. The interictal EEG was normal and the course was benign. Treatment response to antiepileptic drugs was good. CONCLUSIONS: Our presentation confirmed that BIFC are a new partial idiopathic epileptic syndrome, with a genetic predisposition, probably with an autosomal dominant inheritance, which would be recognize in the next international classification of epilepsy and epileptic syndromes.

Electroencephalography↗