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Benign early infantile reflex absence seizures
1Epilepsy Centre Dr Hans Berger Clinic, Breda, The Netherlands. Office SHBK@SHBK.tmfweb.nl
Insights
This case report details a rare instance of reflex epileptic seizures in an infant, triggered by tactile stimuli. The seizures, initially appearing as myoclonic jerks, evolved into absence seizures and resolved spontaneously.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epileptology
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- Reflex epilepsy, characterized by seizures triggered by specific stimuli, is uncommon in infants.
- Tactile-induced seizures are particularly rare, especially in the first year of life.
- Documenting early-onset reflex seizures is crucial for understanding developmental epilepsy.
Observation:
- A twelve-month-old girl presented with myoclonic jerks provoked by tactile stimuli.
- Video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring at fifteen months confirmed these as absence seizures with minimal myoclonic features.
- The seizures were observed to be triggered by the same tactile stimuli.
Findings:
- This case represents, to our knowledge, the first documented instance of tactile-induced absence seizures at this early age.
- No antiepileptic drug treatment was administered.
- The seizures ceased spontaneously within six months and have not recurred.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of reflex epilepsy phenotypes in infancy.
- It highlights the potential for spontaneous remission of certain early-onset epileptic conditions.
- Further research into early-onset reflex seizures may inform diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
This case report, with videotape, focuses on reflex epileptic seizures of a girl who started to have seizures, provoked by tactile stimuli, at the age of twelve months. They were described as myoclonic jerks predominantly in the upper part of the body and the arms. During video/EEG monitoring at the age of fifteen months, seizures provoked by the same tactile stimuli were recorded. For clinical and electroencephalographic reasons, these are best described as absence seizures (persistence of minimal myoclonic jerking). To our knowledge, such seizures at this age have not been documented before. Treatment with antiepileptic agents was not initiated. Six months later the seizures stopped spontaneously and have not recurred. Two years later, psychomotor and behavioural development is normal [published with video- sequences].