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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy
10:22

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

Discontinuation of antiepileptic therapy: a prospective study in children

P A Bouma1, A C Peters, R J Arts

  • 1Department of Neurology (Division of Child Neurology), Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands.

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|December 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

Stopping anticonvulsant medication after 2 seizure-free years in children with epilepsy resulted in an 80.5% remission rate 5 years later. Early seizure onset was the only factor linked to recurrence risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Clinical Epilepsy Research

Background:

  • Epilepsy management often involves long-term anticonvulsant medication.
  • Discontinuation of medication is considered after prolonged seizure remission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the remission rate after anticonvulsant medication withdrawal in children with epilepsy.
  • To identify predictive factors for seizure recurrence post-medication discontinuation.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 116 children with epilepsy.
  • Medication withdrawn after 2 years of seizure freedom.
  • Follow-up for 5 years post-withdrawal.
  • Analysis of variables including epilepsy type, neurological status, and EEG findings.

Main Results:

  • An 80.5% remission rate was observed 5 years after medication withdrawal.
  • Younger age of seizure onset was significantly correlated with a higher probability of recurrence.
  • No other examined factors reliably predicted recurrence.

Conclusions:

  • Anticonvulsant withdrawal after 2 seizure-free years is associated with a high remission rate in children.
  • Age of seizure onset is a potential, though not definitive, predictor of recurrence.
  • Current evidence suggests medication withdrawal attempts should be considered for most children with epilepsy after 2 years of seizure freedom.

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