Clinical and electroencephalogram characteristics and treatment outcomes in children with benign epilepsy and centrotemporal spikes

BACKGROUND Epilepsy is a syndrome characterized by transient,rigid,paroxysmal,and repetitive central nervous system dysfunction.Prevention,control,and improvement of cognitive and behavioral dysfunction are of great significance for improving the patients’intellectual development and quality of life.Electroencephalograms(EEG)can predict an accelerated decline in cognitive function.AIM To determine the clinical and EEG characteristics and treatment results of benign epilepsy in spiking children.METHODS A total of 106 cases of benign epilepsy in children with myocardial spines treated at our hospital from January 2017 to January 2020 were selected.Differences in clinical data and EGG characteristics between treatment-effective/-ineffective patients were analyzed,and children’s intellectual development before and after treatment evaluated using the Gesell Development Diagnostic Scale.RESULTS EEG showed that the discharge proportion in the awake and sleep periods was 66.04%,and the peak/peak discharge was mainly single-sided,accounting for 81.13%,while the discharge generalization accounted for 31.13%.There was no significant difference in any of these variables between sexes and ages(P>0.05).The proportion of patients with early onset(<5 years old)and seizure frequency>3 times/half a year was 40.00%and 60.00%,respectively;the incidence rate and seizure frequency in the younger age group(<5 years old)were significantly higher than those in the treatment-effective group(P<0.05),while the discharge index was significantly lower than that in the treatment-effective group(P<0.05).The discharge index was negatively correlated with fine motor skill and language development(r=-0.274 and-0.247,respectively;P<0.05),but not with the rest(P>0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that low age onset(<5 years old)and seizure frequency were the factors affecting ineffective-treatment of benign epilepsy in children(odds ratio=11.304 and 5.784,respectively;P<0.05).The discharge index of the responsive group after treatment was significantly lower than that of the unresponsive group(P<0.05).However,there was no significant difference between groups after treatment in gross and fine motor skills,adaptability,language,and personal social development(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The EEG of children with benign epilepsy due to spinal wave in central time zone has characteristic changes,and the therapeutic effect is influenced by age of onset and attack frequency.

Oxcarbazepine monotherapy in children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes improves quality of life

Background:Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes(BECTS)is the most common type of childhood idiopathic focal epilepsy.BECTS is associated with pervasive cognitive deficits and behavior problems.While seizures can be easily controlled,it is crucial to select anti-epileptic drugs that do not impair cognition,do not cause psychosocial effects,and improve the quality of life.Previous studies showed effects of oxcarbazepine(OXC)monotherapy on the cognitive and psychosocial profiles of patients with BECTS.Here,we studied the effects of OXC monotherapy on the neuropsychologic profiles and quality of life in patients with BECTS in China.Methods:Thirty-one patients aged 6 to 12 years newly diagnosed with BECTS were recruited.A psychometric assessment was performed before and during the follow-up of OXC monotherapy with Cognitive Computerized Task Battery,Depression SelfRating Scale for children,Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders,and Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31(QOLIE-31).The results of the assessments were compared to explore the effect of OXC monotherapy in patients with BECTS.Results:Thirty children with BECTS completed the study.Five of ten cognitive test scores improved after treatment via OXC monotherapy,including visual tracing(F=14.480,P<0.001),paired associated learning(language)(F=6.292,P<0.001),paired associated learning(number)(F=9.721,P<0.05),word semantic(F=6.003,P<0.05),and simple subtraction(F=6.229,P<0.05).Of the neuropsychology data concerning the quality of life,statistically significant improvements were observed in emotion(F=4.946,P<0.05),QOLIE-social(F=5.912,P<0.05),and QOLIE-total(F=14.161,P<0.001).Conclusions:OXC is safe and does not impair neuropsychologic functions,with no obvious mood burden on children with BECTS.Most importantly,OXC has positive impacts on children’s perception of quality of life,especially in terms of happiness and life satisfaction.