title: Observation of continuous spike-waves during slow sleep in children with myelomeningocele.
abstract: METHODS
  Two patients with myelomeningoceles (MMC) and shunt-treated hydrocephalus are reported. At 5 and 7 years respectively, when they began presenting mental deterioration and behavioural disorders, sleep EEG showed continuous spike-waves during slow sleep (CSWS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These are the first cases of CSWS described in patients with MMC. The mechanisms of CSWS are considered. The role of hydrocephalus and the thalamic injuries found in one of the patients is discussed in detail. The usefulness of monitoring sleep EEG in patients with hydrocephalus or thalamic lesions is stressed, considering the effects of CSWS on the cognitive competencies and the soft or subclinical course that epilepsy complicated with CSWS may follow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Paediatrics and Developmental Neurosciences, Catholic University, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Acquafondata
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lettori
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tartaglione
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Donvito
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Staccioli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mittica
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guzzetta
mesh_terms: D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012640:Seizures / Q000503:physiopathology; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*