Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Diagnosis and management of nonconvulsive status epilepticus in children

Christian M Korff1, Douglas R Nordli

  • 1Children's Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. christian.korff@hcuge.ch

Nature Clinical Practice. Neurology
|September 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in children is under-recognized, impacting diagnosis and treatment. Further research is needed to understand its effects and guide care for various subtypes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Epileptology

Background:

  • Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) presents diverse diagnoses, outcomes, and treatments.
  • In children, NCSE is associated with neurological injuries, epilepsy syndromes, and learning difficulties.
  • NCSE in pediatric populations is suspected to be under-diagnosed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the under-recognition of NCSE in children.
  • To emphasize the need for studies on electrographic characteristics in very young children with NCSE.
  • To investigate the potential harm of NCSE versus underlying conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on NCSE in children and adults.
  • Extrapolation of findings from adult studies to pediatric populations.
  • Discussion of diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Main Results:

  • NCSE in children is linked to various neurological conditions.
  • Specific electrographic data in very young children are lacking.
  • Adult data suggest aggressive treatment for comatose patients with NCSE.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is crucial for accurate NCSE diagnosis and management in children.
  • Long-term studies are needed to assess NCSE's damaging potential.
  • Treatment approaches should be tailored, with caution advised for absence, complex partial, and electrical status epilepticus during sleep.

More Related Videos

Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus08:28

Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus

Published on: April 5, 2011

Long-term Continuous EEG Monitoring in Small Rodent Models of Human Disease Using the Epoch Wireless Transmitter System08:43

Long-term Continuous EEG Monitoring in Small Rodent Models of Human Disease Using the Epoch Wireless Transmitter System

Published on: July 21, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Seizures l: Introduction01:20

Seizures l: Introduction

Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers01:08

Antiepileptic Drugs: Sodium Channel Blockers

Antiepileptic drugs are specialized medications that prevent seizures in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. These drugs primarily function by blocking the movement of sodium ions through channels in the neuronal membrane, inhibiting the repetitive firing of action potentials often associated with seizures.
Sodium channel blockers modulate ion channels, particularly voltage-gated sodium channels. They block only sodium ion movement.
Among the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs are...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers01:17

Antiepileptic Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers, a class of antiepileptic drugs, regulate the flow of calcium ions within neurons.
Calcium channel blockers exert their antiepileptic effects by targeting T-type calcium channels, which are integral to transmitting nerve signals in the central nervous system. These channels allow the passage of calcium ions, which are vital for neuronal communication. By inhibiting T-type calcium channels, calcium channel blockers effectively reduce the release of neurotransmitters and...