Neuropediatrics 2006; 37 - THP122
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-945945

ROLE OF EEG IN PREDICTION OF EPILEPSY IN INFANTS WITH TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS COMPLEX

S Jozwiak 1, D Domanska-Pakiela 1, J Kasprzyk-Obara 1
  • 1Department of Child Neurology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warszawa, Poland

Objectives: Epilepsy occurs in 80–90% of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Most seizures begin in the first year of life. Early onset of epilepsy and delayed treatment are frequently associated with poor psychomotor development. Usually EEG recordings are being performed after seizure occurrence. The aim of the study was to assess a predictive role of EEG in seizure appearance.

Methods: Three infants with prenatally detected multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas were prospectively followed up. Careful clinical examinations led to diagnosis of TSC in all subjects. Although they did not present epileptic seizures the initial sleep EEGs were carried out in all of them (at 2nd, 2nd, and 6th month). Seizures appeared at 3rd, 5th, and 8th month respectively. Results: Initial EEGs recorded at 2nd month were normal in 2 infants. Third infant had first EEG done at the age of 6 months, two months before seizure onset, and localized discharges on left parietooccipital area were shown. Any of the children had control EEGs after seizure onset. All children responded well for the antiepileptic treatment and were seizure free. In two of them EEG became normal. EEG in the third child remained abnormal and this patient presented mental retardation.

Conclusion: Our study indicates that the presence of epileptiform discharges in young infants with TSC may predict prompt seizure appearance. In these children particular caution should be exercised in respect to their vaccination. Antiepileptic treatment may be considered to avoid mental retardation.