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[Autosomal dominant cerebral seizures in the 6th month of life with benign outcome]
G Kurlemann1, P Vossschulte, J Weglage
1Universitäts-Kinderklinik, Bereich Neuropädiatrie, Münster.
Insights
This study describes a boy with benign familial seizures starting at six months old. The condition appears hereditary, with affected family members showing normal development and seizure control with phenobarbital.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Benign familial seizures are a rare epilepsy syndrome.
- Early-onset seizures require careful diagnosis to rule out other conditions.
Observation:
- A six-month-old boy experienced afebrile grand mal seizures.
- Electroencephalograms (EEGs) were consistently normal.
- A paternal family history revealed five members with similar seizures in infancy.
Findings:
- The patient's seizures were characteristic of benign familial epilepsy.
- A hereditary pattern was identified, suggesting a genetic basis.
- Low-dose phenobarbital effectively controlled the patient's seizures.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering familial epilepsy syndromes.
- Genetic counseling may be beneficial for affected families.
- Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to favorable outcomes in benign familial seizures.
Abstract:
We report a boy with benign familial seizures of the sixth month of life. At the age of six months he suffered his first afebrile grand mal seizure. Up to his ninth month several seizures of the same type occurred. EEGs were always normal. The history yielded a paternal hereditary trait: five members of the family had also suffered grand mal seizures in the sixth month of life. All but one had no therapy with antiepileptic drugs. One girl was treated with phenobarbital for two years. All members of the family show normal neurological development. Under low dose therapy with phenobarbital our patient has remained seizure-free up to now.