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Long term outcome in children affected by absence epilepsy with onset before the age of three years

Alberto Verrotti1, Cristina Olivieri, Sergio Agostinelli

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.

Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|January 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Early-onset absence epilepsy in children under 3 years old shows a favorable long-term outcome. Most children achieved seizure freedom and maintained normal cognitive functions, indicating a good prognosis.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatric Epilepsy

Background:

  • Absence epilepsy is a common epilepsy syndrome in childhood.
  • The long-term prognosis of absence epilepsy presenting before 3 years of age is not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define the long-term clinical and neurocognitive outcome of absence epilepsy presenting before 3 years of age.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 40 children diagnosed with absence epilepsy before 3 years of age.
  • Data collected included personal and family history, follow-up duration, cognitive function, treatment, and outcome.
  • Diagnosis confirmed by EEG showing 3-Hz spike-wave complexes, normal neurological examination, and absence of other seizure types.

Main Results:

  • Forty children were included, with seizure onset between 24.1 and 36.0 months.
  • A family history of epilepsy was present in 28% and febrile seizures in 13%.
  • Valproic acid (VPA) was the primary treatment. At follow-up, 33 patients were seizure-free with normal EEGs.
  • 34 patients had normal IQs, while 6 had decreased IQs, often linked to uncontrolled seizures.

Conclusions:

  • Absence epilepsy presenting before 3 years of age has a good long-term clinical prognosis.
  • Neuropsychological outcomes were comparable to childhood epilepsy presenting after 3 years of age.
Abstract

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