Interictal EEG pattern in West syndrome

Abstract

Evaluation of interictal EEG patterns and correlation with etiology and clinical course in children with West syndrome (WS). The children with WS treated in period 1996–2010 were included. Interictal EEG was recorded initially, 7th and 14th day and after 6th weeks of therapy onset. EEG was classified as hypsarrhythmia (H) and modified hypsarrhythmia (MH). Etiology was divided in two groups: idiopathic/cryptogenic and symptomatic. Clinical features included number of infantile spasms (IS) and neurological status initially and during the follow up. Hypsarrhythmia initially was recorded in 45 of total number of 180 patients (25.1%), while MH in 134 (74.9%). Abnormal previous neurological development was presented in 77.7% with H, and 62.7% with MH. Simptomatic etiology was in 77.7% children with H and in 29,1% with MH. Average initial IS number was 152 in patients with H, and 122 with MH. Persistence of IS was in one with, H and 15 with MH. Good neurological outcome was in about 20% in both groups. Interictal EEG pattern is in correlation with WS etiology and clinical course, while without impact to the final neurological outcome. IS persistence was more common in the patients with MH.