[Epileptic encephalopathies of onset in neonates and infants]

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) recently socialized the proposed classification for epileptic syndromes of neonatal onset and up to the first 2 years of age, dividing them into self-limited epileptic syndromes and epileptic and developmental encephalopathies (DEEs). In this review we will focus on DEEs, defined as disorders in which there is developmental impairment related to both the underlying aetiology independent of epileptiform activity and epileptic encephalopathy. These include early infantile epileptic encephalopathy or Ohtahara syndrome and early myoclonic encephalopathy in the neonatal period, now grouped under the name of epileptic and early childhood developmental encephalopathies (EIDEE). Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome, childhood epilepsy with migratory crises and Dravet syndrome are part of the infant-onset encephalopathies. The importance of early recognition of epileptic encephalopathies lies not only in the control of epileptic seizures, but also in stopping deterioration by trying to change the course of the disease. It is essential to know the etiology, avoiding medications that can exacerbate seizures and worsen the course, applying precision m edicine as well as identifying candidate patients for early epilepsy surgery.