Prevalence of epileptiform discharges in healthy children—New data from a prospective study using digital EEG

Abstract

SUMMARYPurpose: Data on epileptiform electroencephalography (EEG) discharges in healthy children are limited, with published studies dating back more than 20 years. Moreover, analyses have been performed exclusively using paperrecorded EEG, and reported prevalences differ significantly. With recent reports using these data as reference suggesting an increased prevalence of epileptiform EEG discharges in children with behavioral disturbances, acquisition of exact prevalence data has become even more critical. The aim of our study was to analyze the frequency of epileptiform EEG discharges in healthy children using digitally recorded EEG (DEEG) and to compare these data to those of previously published studies. Methods: Prospective analysis of DEEG was performed in 382 healthy children (226 male, 156 female) ages 6-13 years admitted to our hospital for minor head trauma. Recording was carried out for a minimum of 20 min including hyperventilation and photic stimulation.Analysis was carried out by two board-certified clinical neurophysiologists. Results: Epileptiform EEG discharges were detected in 25 of 382 children (11 of 226 male, 14 of 156 female) corresponding to an overall prevalence of 6.5%. Of these 25 children, 4 had either generalized or bifrontal spikes, 12 showed constant localized focal discharges, and 9 showed multifocal discharges. Compared to previous studies using non-DEEG recording, the prevalence of epileptiform EEG discharges in our population was significantly higher. No significant difference was found when comparing our data to prevalences recently reported in children with behavioral disturbances using DEEG. Conclusions: Our study further highlights the urgent need to reevaluate the prevalence of epileptiform EEG discharges in healthy children using DEEG recordings in a large cohort.

WITHDRAWN: Interiktales EEG bei Epilepsie (Interictal EEG in Epilepsy)

“…Etwas häufiger ist dies bei gesunden Kindern (1-6%) der Fall, wobei hiervon nur 2-3% im Verlauf eine Epilepsie entwickeln [2,22,23]. Bei hirnerkrankten Patienten ohne Epilepsie werden in 2-4% ETPs aufgezeichnet, jedoch besteht bei diesen Patienten tatsächlich ein höheres Risiko für eine Epilepsie [31].…”

A Framework Proposal to Follow‐Up on Preclinical Convulsive Signals of a New Molecular Entity in First‐in‐Human Studies Using Electroencephalographic Monitoring

“…For NMEs in pediatric indications, FiH trials are typically conducted in adult healthy volunteers, and children are then included in subsequent phase Ib or phase II trials. Pediatric populations, in particular those ≤13 years of age, have a higher background rate of EAs than adults, with rates of ~2–7% . The higher background rate should be taken into account when interpreting treatment‐emergent EAs.…”

“…Pediatric populations, in particular those ≤13 years of age, have a higher background rate of EAs than adults, with rates of ~2-7%. [51][52][53] The higher background rate should be taken into account when interpreting treatment-emergent EAs. A larger cohort size, a more balanced ratio of children on verum or placebo, and the use of a sequential or crossover design exposing children to both NME and placebo are tools to be considered to reduce the risk of falsepositive observations.…”

Tubers, epileptogenic foci, and epileptogenic networks in tuberous sclerosis

“…It is important to note that Borusiak et al (2010) have misquoted a number of points from my study: First, I studied 743 children, 389 female, from the ages of 1 through 15 years; therefore, my study group also included children 12 and 13 years of age-and not only up to 11 years as mentioned by Borusiak et al Second, in their Table 2, the numbers of male and female children obtained from my Table II have been reversed. Third, Table III in my study shows ''Paroxysmal activity appearing at rest,'' including one group of children with focal spikes or sharp waves (14 children, 11 between 6 and 13 years) and one group in which this activity was not absolutely clear (4 children, 3 between 6 and 13 years).…”

“…With great interest I have read the article by Borusiak et al (2010) on the prevalence of epileptiform discharges in healthy children, as determined using digital electroencephalography (EEG). The authors compare their results with my results based on paper recordings in normal children (Eeg-Olofsson et al, 1971).…”