EEG changes in children born to epileptic parents

Abstract

Epileptiform EEG changes are much more common in children whose parents are epileptic than in the population. There is evidence that subclinical epileptiform activity affects children’s intellect and behavior. These changes need timely detection and therapy. Objective : to determine the specific features and rates of EEG abnormalities in children born to parents with epilepsy. Patients and methods. The brain bioelectrical activity of 47 children born to epileptic fathers, 53 children born to epileptic mothers, and 46 children born to healthy parents (a control group) was evaluated via video EEG monitoring method on an Encephalan 9 apparatus (Medicom MTD, Taganrog, Russia). Results and discussion. Epileptiform EEG activity was significantly more frequently recorded in the children born to epileptic patients than in the control children. There was no significant difference in the detection rate of epileptiform activity in the groups of children, whose parents had epilepsy. EEG changes were significantly more common in children whose parents had idiopathic generalized epilepsy. The children born to epileptic mothers were more often recorded to have impaired bioelectrical activity of organic nature as a regional continued deceleration of basic activity and its deceleration in the background recording. Epileptiform activity was subclinical in the majority of cases. At the same time, it was unaccompanied by clinical manifestations in all the control children. Regional epileptiform activity was predominant in the study and control groups.