Prédisposition convulsive et maturation cérébrale

Abstract

The authors stress the distinction between febrile convulsions, syncope and epilepsy. In the same way a relationship exists between sleep organisation and cerebral maturation also there exists an association between the latter and convulsive predisposition. The authors base their hypothesis on electrophysiological and clinical data from 13 children from 5 families. 8 presented with febrile convulsions (with a normal or abnormal E.E.G.) the first seizure having occurred during the first three months of life and the last at 5 years (with the exception of one case who had seizures up to the age of 17). Of the 5 children without convulsions, 2 were asymptomatic, 1 complained of headache, another had a functional disorder and the last suffered from enuresis. Amongst the relatives the authors found two had suffered from childhood convulsions (now with a normal E.E.G.), others had presented with diverse complaints such as loss of consciousness and headaches. The data confirm the hypothesis stating a relation between infantile convulsions, cerebral maturation and convulsive predisposition.