Photoparoxysmal responses in non-epileptic children in long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the photoparoxysmal responses (PPR) in non-epileptic children and adolescents in long-term follow-up.


METHODS
We studied 14 non-epileptic children who showed PPR without any other electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities.


RESULTS
One subjects was lost after 1 year of follow-up. At the final follow-up, four of the 13 patients (approximately 30%) did not show any PPR or other epileptic discharges, while in other children PPR continued to be present. The age of the disappearance of PPR in these four patients ranged from 1.1 to 5.9 years from the first evaluation. No patients suffered from epileptic seizures during the whole period of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirms that PPR can be present in the EEG of non-epileptic children and adolescents and demonstrates that this EEG change is not related to the presence of seizures and must not be considered a marker for the developing of epilepsy.
Verrotti
A
A
Department of Medicine, Division of Pediatrics, University of Chieti, Ospedale Policlinico, via dei Vestini 5, I-66100 Chieti, Italy. averrott@obelix.unich.it
Basciani
F
F
Trotta
D
D
Cutarella
R
R
Salladini
C
C
Morgese
G
G
Chiarelli
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography; D020195:Epilepsy, Reflex / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors