[Value of EEG studies in the differential diagnosis of seizures in children]

The importance of various morphotic elements of EEG tracings in the diagnosis of seizures in children is discussed with particular reference to seizures connected with fever. The common neurophysiological mechanism of epileptic discharges in various epileptic seizures in children and adults is stressed calling attention to the fact that EEG investigation in only one of the elements on which the diagnostic process should be based. Attention is called also to the prognostic significance of duration of post-seizure slowing down of the background activity and occurrence of focal spike discharges at the site of greatest slowing of the activity - the greater is this slowing (above one week) the worse is the prognosis. In view of a considerable range of the concept of electroencephalographic normality in children it is stressed that EEG investigations should be repeated after the seizure to study the dynamics of bioelectric changes: the duration and type of EEG abnormalities.