Epilepsia
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Comparative Study
The prevalence of seizures in comatose children in the pediatric intensive care unit: a prospective video-EEG study.
Studies in adult and neonatal intensive care units (ICUs) report a high prevalence of epileptic seizures in comatose patients. The prevalence of seizures in pediatric ICUs is variably reported in a few retrospective studies using different electroencephalography (EEG) methods. We aimed to determine prospectively the prevalence of epileptic seizures (clinical and subclinical) in comatose children in the pediatric ICU using continuous video-EEG (v-EEG) monitoring. ⋯ The lower prevalence of epileptic seizures and the shorter length of ICU stay in children compared to adults and neonates suggest a different spectrum of disease and neurologic response. Short-duration v-EEG in patients with a history of prior seizures, epilepsy, or clinical events suspected to be seizures seems more appropriate than routine v-EEG in all comatose children in the pediatric ICU.
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Comparative Study
Epilepsy in Rett syndrome---the experience of a National Rett Center.
Rett syndrome (RTT), an X-linked, dominant neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene, presents with acquired microcephaly, autistic regression, hand usage loss, and stereotypies. Epilepsy is frequent and has been reported to correlate with mutation type, general disease severity, and BDNF polymorphism. Our purpose was a comprehensive description of epilepsy features and course in RTT. ⋯ Epilepsy appears earlier than described previously, frequently during the regression stage. Early age of onset predicts a more severe course of seizures. ESES is common among those with early onset epilepsy. BDNF polymorphism was the only genetic correlate with seizure onset, whereas MECP2 mutation type and location did not influence epilepsy.