EEG characteristics predict subsequent epilepsy in children with febrile seizure

Predictive value of paroxysmal EEG abnormalities for future epilepsy in focal febrile seizures

“…This result rather supports Kanemura's observation. Kanemura also found occipital spikes to be at least predictive of epilepsy [8]. Our result is similar, as none of the 3 patients having occipital discharges, developed later epilepsy.…”

“…Moreover, Japanese investigators have recently described specific EEG characteristics in some FS patients that are stated to be predictive of later epilepsy. This is the first such claim in numerous published studies on the role of EEG in FS [8].…”

“…In our study, a positive correlation between subsequent epilepsy and both clinical focality of FS and focality of EEG discharges was found, the statistical significance being most obvious when the two factors were found in combination. Kanemura proposed a much higher relative risk of epilepsy for the subset of patients with frontal EEG foci [8]. However, the results of Wo do not support Kanemura's observations [21].…”

“…Kanemura reported paroxysmal abnormalities, recorded within 7-20 days after the FS, in 21.8% of his patients with FS and in 66.7% of those who developed later epilepsy [8]. Wo reported no significant correlation between the recurrence rate of FS and the presence of epileptiform discharges, but epilepsy was found to be much more likely to develop in patients with FS whose EEGs showed epileptiform discharges [21].…”

“…Claims that epileptiform EEG discharges in patients with FS are not without any predictive value for the development of epilepsy are growing [8,[20][21][22]. Cochrane Reviews have stated that there is no evidence to support or refute the use of EEG and its timing after complex FS in children.…”