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Childhood absence epilepsy and benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes: a narrative review analysis
Alberto Verrotti1, Renato D'Alonzo2, Victoria Elisa Rinaldi2
1Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale S. Salvatore, L'Aquila University School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, 67100, Italy. alberto.verrottidipianella@univaq.it.
Insights
Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) and benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS) can coexist in children. This review found 19 cases, suggesting a potential neurobiological link between these epilepsy types.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epileptology
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- Recent research suggests absence seizures can co-occur with other epilepsy forms.
- Investigating the co-occurrence of Childhood Absence Epilepsy (CAE) and Benign Epilepsy with Centro-temporal Spikes (BECTS) is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the contemporary or subsequent presence of CAE and BECTS in pediatric patients.
- To explore the relationship between these two common childhood epilepsy syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE (1996-2015).
- Inclusion of retrospective studies, meta-analyses, and case reports.
- Reference list review of identified relevant articles.
Main Results:
- Nineteen cases reported coexisting CAE and BECTS in pediatric patients (8 female, 11 male).
- Patient ages ranged from 4 to 12 years.
- 16 patients had sequential diagnoses, while 3 presented with both syndromes concurrently.
Conclusions:
- CAE and BECTS may share pathophysiological mechanisms, indicating a neurobiological continuum.
- Further research is needed to understand the genetic or functional links between CAE and BECTS.
- This study highlights potential connections between generalized and partial epilepsy patterns in idiopathic childhood epilepsies.
Background:
Recent studies have shown a possible coexistence of absence seizures with other forms of epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the possible contemporary or subsequent presence of childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) and benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS) in pediatric epileptic patients.
Data Sources:
A PubMed systematic search indexed for MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE was undertaken to identify studies in children including articles written between 1996 and 2015. Retrospective studies, meta-analysis and case reports were included. The list of references of all the relevant articles was also studied. The date of our last search was December 2015.
Results:
Review of the literature revealed 19 cases, 8 females and 11 males, reporting a consecutive or contemporary coexistence of CAE and BECTS within the same patients. Patient's age ranged between 4 and 12 years. Three out of 19 patients presented concomitant features of both syndromes, whereas 16 patients experienced the two syndromes at different times.
Conclusions:
BECTS and CAE may be pathophysiologically related, and the two epileptic phenotypes may indicate a neurobiological continuum. Further studies are needed to elucidate a probable genetic or functional link between partial and primarily generalized electro-clinical patterns in idiopathic childhood epilepsies.
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