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Prevalence of Epileptiform Discharges in Healthy Infants

Christelle J Bihege1, Thorsten Langer2, Andreas C W Jenke3

  • 1Witten Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.

Journal of Child Neurology
|January 2, 2015
PubMed

Insights

This study found a low prevalence of epileptiform discharges in healthy young children using modern digital electroencephalography (EEG). These findings are crucial for accurately diagnosing epilepsy in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Neurophysiology

Background:

  • Previous studies on epileptiform discharges in children often used analog electroencephalography (EEG) with fewer electrodes, potentially limiting detection rates.
  • Establishing the prevalence of epileptiform discharges in healthy children is essential for accurate diagnosis in suspected epilepsy cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of epileptiform discharges in healthy children aged 12 to 60 months using digital EEG.
  • To compare findings with previous studies using conventional EEG.

Main Methods:

  • Review of digital EEG recordings from 393 healthy children aged 12 to 60 months.
  • Analysis focused on the detection of epileptiform discharges.

Main Results:

  • Epileptiform discharges were identified in 3 children (aged 12, 34, and 55 months).
  • The prevalence of epileptiform discharges in this cohort was 0.76% (95% CI: 0.0% to 1.62%).
  • Findings align with previous data suggesting a lower prevalence in younger children compared to older children.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of epileptiform discharges in healthy children under 5 years old is notably low.
  • Digital EEG confirms previous observations of low epileptiform discharge prevalence in young, healthy children.

Keywords:
EEGepilepsyinfantminor head traumaseizures

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