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[Prospective EEG studies of offspring of fathers with epilepsy]
R Majchrzak1, B Grudzińska, K Pierzchała
1II Katedry i Kliniki Neurologii Sl. AM w Zabrzu.
Insights
Epilepsy in children of fathers with epilepsy shows abnormal EEG activity in 51%. Seizure activity is more common in girls and peaks between ages 4-7 years.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Epilepsy is a neurological disorder with a known genetic component.
- Understanding familial aggregation of epilepsy is crucial for risk assessment and early intervention.
- This study investigates EEG abnormalities in children with a paternal history of epilepsy.
Purpose:
- To analyze electroencephalogram (EEG) tracings in children whose fathers have epilepsy.
- To identify patterns of abnormal EEG activity, including seizure activity and bioelectric immaturity.
- To examine the influence of paternal epilepsy onset and child's age on EEG findings.
Summary:
- EEG tracings were analyzed in 100 children of fathers with epilepsy. In a subset of 40 children followed for 4-5 years, 51% showed abnormal EEGs, with 31% exhibiting seizure activity and 5% diagnosed with epilepsy.
- Seizure activity was more prevalent in girls (42.8%) than boys (19.6%) and occurred similarly whether the child was born before or after the father's epilepsy diagnosis.
- The highest incidence of seizure activity was observed between ages 4-7 years (52.6%), decreasing thereafter. Bioelectric immaturity was more common in younger children (1-3 years), particularly boys, with tracings often normalizing over time or evolving into seizure activity.
Impact:
- Findings highlight the increased risk of EEG abnormalities and epilepsy in offspring of fathers with epilepsy.
- Identifies specific age ranges and demographic factors (gender) associated with higher seizure activity risk.
- Provides insights into the developmental trajectory of EEG abnormalities in this at-risk pediatric population, aiding in monitoring and management strategies.
Abstract:
EEG tracings were analysed in 100 children of 58 fathers with epilepsy. A group of children aged up to 18 years was isolated and in 40 of them serial EEG investigations were carried out during 4-5 years. In this group abnormal tracings were found in 51% of cases, with seizure activity in 31%. In five children (5%) epilepsy was diagnosed. Seizure activity was significantly more frequent in girls than in boys (42.8% vs 19.6%). Seizure activity occurred with similar frequency in children born before or after manifestation of the disease in the father (30.1% and 31.9%). The observation of evolution of seizure activity during 4-5 years suggests that the greatest penetration is at the age of 4-7 years (52.6%) and then it decreases gradually. Non-seizure pathological activity with features of bioelectric immaturity was observed most frequently in the youngest children aged 1-3 years, especially in boys. The evolution of these changes was bidirectional: in most cases the tracings became normal within 4-5 years, in a lower number of cases seizure activity appeared.