Speech, language, and cognitive dysfunction in children with focal epileptiform activity: A follow-up study.
We reviewed the medical history, EEG recordings, and developmental milestones of 19 children with speech and language dysfunction and focal epileptiform activity. Speech, language, and neuropsychological assessments and EEG recordings were performed at follow-up, and prognostic indicators were analyzed. Three patterns of language development were observed: late start and slow development, late start and deterioration/regression, and normal start and later regression/deterioration. No differences in test results among these groups were seen, indicating a spectrum of related conditions including Landau-Kleffner syndrome and epileptic language disorder. More than half of the participants had speech and language dysfunction at follow-up. IQ levels, working memory, and processing speed were also affected. Dysfunction of auditory perception in noise was found in more than half of the participants, and dysfunction of auditory attention in all. Dysfunction of communication, oral motor ability, and stuttering were noted in a few. Family history of seizures and abundant epileptiform activity indicated a worse prognosis.
Rejnö-Habte Selassie
Gunilla
G
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology/Speech and Language Pathology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. gunilla.rejno-habte-selassie@vgregion.se
Hedström
Anders
A
Viggedal
Gerd
G
Jennische
Margareta
M
Kyllerman
Mårten
M
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003142:Communication; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult