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Benign partial epilepsy in infancy
A Okumura1, F Hayakawa, K Kuno
1Department of Paediatrics, Anjo Kosei Hospital, Japan.
Insights
Benign partial epilepsy in infancy (BPEI) is characterized by specific seizure types and normal development. This study found BPEI to be more common than previously reported, with excellent treatment response.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epileptology
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- Benign partial epilepsy in infancy (BPEI) is a specific epilepsy syndrome.
- Understanding its occurrence and characteristics is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and clinical features of benign partial epilepsy in infancy (BPEI).
- To evaluate the diagnostic criteria and treatment outcomes for BPEI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of 75 infants diagnosed with epilepsy within the first two years of life (1987-1993).
- Inclusion criteria: complex partial seizures (CPS) or secondary generalized seizures (SGS), normal development, normal interictal EEGs, and good treatment response.
- Detailed analysis of seizure types, family history, age of onset, EEG findings, treatment duration, and developmental outcomes.
Main Results:
- Twenty-two patients (29.3%) fully met the criteria for BPEI.
- The average age of seizure onset was 5.9 months.
- All patients exhibited normal interictal EEGs, normal psychomotor development, and responded well to treatment, with an average seizure persistence of 3.0 months.
- Eight patients (10.7%) had a positive family history of epilepsy.
Conclusions:
- Benign partial epilepsy in infancy (BPEI) appears to be more prevalent than previously suggested by earlier studies.
- The defined criteria for BPEI are consistent with a distinct epilepsy syndrome with a favorable prognosis.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment lead to excellent outcomes and normal neurodevelopment in affected children.
Abstract:
The aim was to examine the occurrence of benign partial epilepsy in infancy (BPEI). BPEI was defined as epilepsies with complex partial seizures (CPS) or secondary generalised seizures (SGS), or both, compatible with the following characteristics: normal development before and after onset, no underlying disorders, normal interictal electroencephalograms (EEGs), and good response to treatment. All 75 patients who developed epilepsy within the first 2 years of age between 1987 and 1993 were evaluated: 22 patients fulfilled the definition completely; eight had CPS only, four SGS only, and 10 had both CPS and SGS; 17 had clusters of seizures. Eight patients had a positive family history. The average age of onset of seizures was 5.9 months. Interictal EEGs were all normal. Response to treatment was excellent and the average period of seizure persistence was 3.0 months. All had normal psychomotor development. Patients with BPEI were more common in this study than previously reported.