Benign infantile seizures: a prospective study.
BACKGROUND
One idiopathic focal epileptic syndrome with onset during infancy is recognized, the benign infantile seizures (BIS).


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the electroclinical features and evolution in patients with BIS and assess the difference between familial and non-familial infantile cases.


METHODS
We performed a prospective follow-up study in 41 patients seen at our department between September 2002 and March 2004, with BIS from 2 to 12 months of age. Among the 41 cases 6 were excluded.


RESULTS
Thirty five had BIS after the follow-up. The follow-up was 60-77 months (median 69 months). They were divided in Group 1: 14 patients had a family history of similar seizures in infancy and Group 2: 21 without familial history of infantile epilepsy. Both groups have similar electroclinical features and family history of seizures is the only clue to the differential diagnosis. Seizures were brief, and occurred in cluster in 30 patients (85%). Interictal EEGs were normal in 34 cases (97%) and neuroimaging in all children. No one had seizures after finishing the antiepileptic treatment. Neurological examination and developmental milestones remained normal after the follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the existence of BIS. Non-familial cases might represent novo mutations or sporadic cases of BIS. The recognition of BIS is possible at beginning of the epilepsy. To confirm the syndrome the follow-up is necessary.
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Department of Neurology, Salta Children's Hospital Niño Jesús de Praga, Salta, Sarmiento 625, CP, 4400 Salta, Argentina. albertoespeche@yahoo.com.ar
D017668:Age of Onset; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004831:Epilepsies, Myoclonic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D018579:Patient Selection; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000927:Anticonvulsants