title: Absence epilepsy in children: the role of EEG in monitoring response to treatment.
abstract: We report the use of repeat electroencephalography (EEG) in the management of 69 patients with childhood-onset absence epilepsy (CAE). Electro-clinical absences were demonstrated in seven children who were felt clinically to have persisting absences. In three of the remaining 62 patients who were thought to be seizure-free, repeat EEG showed electro-clinical absences; revision of AEDs in these three children resulted in clinical and EEG control. EEG is a useful adjunct to the (usual) subjective monitoring of the response to treatment, and should be repeated routinely in all patients with CAE.
authors.affiliation: Roald Dahl EEG Unit, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital, Alder Hey, UK.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Appleton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beirne
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants