title: Cognitive and behavioral problems in children with centrotemporal spikes.
abstract: Atypical features in benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) are not uncommon. There are children with BECTS who do not have a benign outcome in terms of neuropsychologic functioning. BECTS have been linked with Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS) and continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS). At the Medical College of Georgia from January 1988 to June 1999, 78 children, ages 2-16 years, were identified to have electroencephalogram evidence of centrotemporal spikes. Their medical records were reviewed for developmental history, behavioral problems, and school performance. Children with structural lesions/other epileptic syndromes were excluded. Fifty-six demonstrated a history of clinical seizures compatible with BECTS and 22 demonstrated centrotemporal spikes without clinical seizures. Among all children with centrotemporal spikes, 9% (n = 7) were diagnosed with mild intellectual disability (intelligence quotient < 70), 10% (n = 8) with borderline functioning, 31% (n = 24) with behavioral problems, and 17% (n = 13) with specific learning disabilities. Three children with BECTS experienced language delay and regression. Seizure control for BECTS usually is achieved without much difficulty, with excellent long-term prognosis. However, the data presented indicate that a large number of BECTS patients exhibit learning or behavior problems that require intervention. A small number may demonstrate language outcome similar to children with LKS and CSWS.
authors: Department of Neurology, Section of Child Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia 30912, USA.
authors: A W
authors: AW
authors: Yung
authors: Y D
authors: YD
authors: Park
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Cohen
authors: T N
authors: TN
authors: Garrison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D019305:Epilepsy, Rolandic / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male