P.075 The trend of electroencephalograph findings after starting anti-epileptic drugs during seizure assessment in children

Abstract

Background: Few studies have explored the effects of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) on electroencephalograph (EEG) findings during the assessment of seizure management. Although a patient may reach seizure freedom, EEG results may continue to be abnormal. Further information is required to understand the trend of EEG findings during seizure treatment. Methods: This is a retrospective study based on chart reviews. Patients who had epilepsy evaluations at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon between January 2012 and December 2015, were selected. The relationships among time of initiating AEDs, EEG findings, and seizure outcome on follow-ups, have been evaluated. Results: 151 patients had first seizure clinic assessments, in which 75 patients had an EEG before starting AEDs. Among the 75 patients, 54 (72%) had abnormal EEGs. From those, 38 (70.3%) patient’s EEGs became normal and 16 (29.7%) patients continued to have abnormal EEGs after the introduction of AEDs. The seizure freedom was 81.5% among those who had normal EEG on follow-up, and 43.7% of those who continued to have abnormal EEGs. Conclusions: Although patients with normal EEGs after starting AEDs may encounter a higher chance of seizure freedom, the seizure free patients with abnormal EEGs indicate that EEG is not completely sufficient in predicting seizure status.