13.Benign epilepsy of infancy: Importance of video EEG recording

Abstract

Benign epilepsies of infancy are entities for which is not easy to make a diagnosis. In 1963 Fukuyama first proposed the benign epilesy of infancy characterized by onset before the age of 2 years and benign course. Later publications in 80s and 90s specified localization and semiology, familial and nonfamilial characteristics and final outcome. The International classification of epilepsies and epileptic syndromes (Engel, 2001) comprises only familial and non-familial benign infantile seizures. Specchio and Vigevano (2006) described semiology and onset, family history, ictal and interictal EEG pattern, prognosis and final outcome of benign seizures in infancy. They divided them into the following groups: Benign non-familial infantile seizures, Benign familial infantile seizures (BFIS), BFIS associated with other neurological symptoms, Benign familial neonatalinfantile seizures (BFNIS), Benign infantile seizures associated with mild gastroenteritis (BIS with MG), Benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep (BIMSE). The aim of this review is to describe these entities and discuss similarities and difference between them. We pointed out significance of video EEG recording in dramatic appearance of seizures in clusters, lasting few days, which can also occured in benign epilepsy of infancy.