Epileptic syndromes in infancy and childhood
1Department of Neuropediatrics, Centre de référence épilepsies rares, Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades, APHP, Necker-Enfants malades, France. rimanabbout@nck.aphp.fr
Purpose Of Review:
The aim of this article is to review new epilepsy syndromes, acquire a new understanding of older ones and emphasize the impact of this concept on basic research regarding aetiology and treatment.
Recent Findings:
In addition to those included in the classification of the International League Against Epilepsy, new epilepsy syndromes comprise febrile seizures plus, benign familial neonatal-infantile seizures (BFNIS), benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep (BFIS), malignant migrating partial seizures in infancy, devastating epilepsy in school age children and late onset cryptogenic spasms. Genetics played a central role in identifying some new entities (BFNIS, BFIS with choreoathetosis), to delineate older syndromes (Dravet syndrome and myoclonic astatic epilepsy) and determine their mechanisms (infantile spasms, pyridoxine dependent seizures, neonatal encephalopathy with suppression bursts).
Summary:
A significant number of children, mainly infants, do not fit in any of the described epilepsy syndromes. Still many patients with infantile epilepsy require the identification of cause or recognition of an epilepsy syndrome.
Related Concept Videos
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Seizures: Classification
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 Blockers
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...
Seizures l: Introduction
Seizures ll: Types
Epilepsy ll: Types


