PATHOLOGICAL EEG PATTERN, PREDICTIVE FACTOR FOR RECURRENCE OR EPILEPSY IN FEBRILE SEIZURES?
Abstract:
The value of the pathological electroencephalographic (EEG) pattern in febrile seizures (FS)
as predictive factor for recurrence or for epilepsy is controversial. A limited number of studies
associate epileptiform discharges, mainly focal (frontal), with later epilepsy. The aim of the study was
to identify possible predictors for recurrence or unprovoked seizures by studying the pathological EEG
pattern depending on the time of recording, patient’s age, location, type of abnormalities in patients
with simple (SFS) and complex febrile seizures (CFS). A retrospective study, with an 1 year follow up,
was conducted on 108 children with FS: 96 with SFS and 12 with CFS. For each subject 2 EEG
recordings were performed: 48-72 hours and 21-28 days after the FS. 3 EEG patterns: normal,
unspecific and epileptiform were recorded. The pathological EEG pattern was less present in the SFS
group. For both FS groups the unspecific pattern was more prevalent in the early EEG and the
epileptiform discharges in the late EEG. Early frontal epileptic discharges and temporal and parietal
distribution of the unspecific pattern in the late EEG were associated with a higher recurrence risk. No
recommendations could be made regarding epilepsy risk due to the small number of patients with later
unprovoked seizures. The EEG recording could be considered a predictive factor for recurrence
especially in association with other risk factors.
full text article in English (.EN) |