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The significance of frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity in children
Shay Menascu1, Ismail Mohamed, Shany M Tshechmer
1Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity (FIRDA) in children is linked to various neurological issues, not specifically midline lesions. Longer FIRDA duration correlates with abnormal neurological exams and lab tests, suggesting a general indicator of brain illness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Clinical Neurophysiology
Background:
- Frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity (FIRDA) is an EEG pattern observed in children.
- The clinical and radiological significance of FIRDA in pediatric populations requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between FIRDA and clinical findings in children.
- To examine the association between FIRDA and radiological findings, particularly midline brain lesions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of electroencephalogram (EEG) and imaging studies.
- Inclusion of 37 pediatric patients with documented FIRDA.
Main Results:
- FIRDA was associated with diverse neurological conditions, not exclusively midline lesions.
- Children with abnormal neurological examinations exhibited longer FIRDA durations (average 9.5s) compared to those with normal exams (average 6.5s).
- A significant association was found between FIRDA duration and abnormal laboratory test results (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- FIRDA in children does not show a correlation with midline brain lesions.
- FIRDA appears to be a nonspecific EEG finding in pediatric patients with underlying brain pathology, irrespective of seizure activity.
Objective:
To determine the correlation between frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity (FIRDA) and the clinical and radiological correlates in children.
Methods:
Retrospective review of the EEG and imaging studies of 37 children with documented FIRDA.
Results:
FIRDA was associated with multiple neurological conditions and not necessarily with midline lesions. Patients with abnormal neurological exam had a longer FIRDA duration (average 9.5 seconds) compared to children with no reported abnormal examination (average of 6.5 seconds). FIRDA ranged from 2 to 2.5 Hz (n = 15), 3 Hz (n = 17) and from 1.5 to 3 Hz (n = 5) and there was a significant association between the duration of FIRDA and abnormal laboratory tests (p. < 0.05, Student's T test).
Conclusion:
FIRDA was not correlated with midline brain lesions in children. FIRDA may be a non specific oscillation of an unhealthy pediatric brain with or without seizures.
