[Long term remission of epilepsy in childhood: a prospective study].
BACKGROUND
To study the chance of achieving a long term remission of epilepsy in children.


METHODS
90 children aged under 14 years newly diagnosed of epilepsy were started on anticonvulsant treatment and prospectively followed. Initial remission was defined as a seizure free period with or without subsequent recurrences, terminal remission as a seizure free period without subsequent recurrences and terminal remission off treatment as terminal remission plus medication discontinued.


RESULTS
The Kaplan Meier estimate of the probability of achieving a 3 year initial remission was 80% and 90%, of the probability of achieving a 5 year terminal remission was 59% and 68% and of the probability of achieving a 5 year terminal remission off treatment was 53% and 61% at 5 and 7 years, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox proportionate hazards model revealed there was a greater probability of achieving a 3 year terminal remission off treatment for patients with idiopathic/cryptogenic etiology and for those who did not have recurrences during the first six months of treatment. Syndromic diagnosis at six months after initiating antiepileptic treatment was also useful for predicting the probability of remission.


CONCLUSIONS
Over half of the epileptic children achieve a prolonged remission off treatment. The main prognostic factors are etiology, recurrence of seizures during the first six months and syndromic diagnosis.
Unidad de Neurología Pediátrica, Hospital Torrecárdenas, Almería, 04009, España.
J
J
Ramos-Lizana
E
E
Cassinello-García
M
M
Vázquez-López
L L
LL
Carrasco-Marina
A
A
Muñoz-Hoyos
M
M
Martín-González
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction
D000927:Anticonvulsants