When might hemispheric favouring of epileptiform discharges begin?
OBJECTIVE
EEG studies based on adult populations report interictal epileptiform discharges (EDS) favour the left hemisphere. It is not clear when favouring becomes apparent as similar paediatric studies have not been performed.


METHODS
The authors reviewed 1,579 paediatric EEG interpretations for evidence of hemispheric favouring of focal epileptiform discharges. Analysis focused on first-time EEG results.


RESULTS
Right hemispheric favouring of interictal epileptiform discharges occurs in childhood, it remits around 5 years of age whereupon left-sided favouring occurs more frequently (P=0.004, Fisher's Exact).


CONCLUSIONS
Hemispheric vulnerabilities to interictal focal epileptiform activity may display discrete age-related favouring. These findings are discussed in context of normal hemispheric maturation.
Doherty
M J
MJ
Department of Neurology, Regional Epilepsy Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. mdoherty@u.washington.edu
Simon
E
E
De Menezes
M S
MS
Kuratani
J D
JD
Saneto
R P
RP
Homles
M D
MD
Farrell
D F
DF
Watson
N F
NF
Dodrill
C B
CB
Miller
J W
JW
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013687:Telencephalon / Q000503:physiopathology*