Educational problems with underlying neuropsychological impairment are common in children with Benign Epilepsy of Childhood with Centrotemporal Spikes (BECTS)

Author(s): Vinayan KP, Biji V, Thomas SV

Abstract

Introduction:Benign Epilepsy of Childhood with Centrotemporal Spikes (BECTS) is one of the most common childhood epilepsies with a good prognosis regarding the seizure and neuropsychological outcomes. However, recent reports indicate the presence of neuropsychological problems in a significant percentage of children with BECTS. Our study was aimed to examine the educational performance and neuropsychological functions along with clinical and electrographic characteristics in a cohort of children with BECTS.

Methods:We identified a cohort of children with BECTS by screening medical and EEG recordings of patients attending our institute. Data were collected with a standard protocol. Their educational performance was evaluated by an interview with the parents. Neuropsychological and language tests were administered to children who had educational problems. Statistical analysis was done using the chi2-test.

Results:Fifty children (29 boys and 21 girls; mean age of onset of epilepsy 7.84+/-2.87 years) who met the criteria for BECTS were included in this study. Atypical seizure characteristics for BECTS were observed in 26 (52%) children. EEG showed typical centrotemporal spike and wave discharges in all children, 42% of them had a tangential dipole in the frontocentral region. An additional extra-rolandic focus in the EEG was found in seven children (14%). Educational problems were identified in 27 children (54%); 19 of them had neuropsychological or language impairment (p=0.003). We found a statistically significant correlation between the occurrence of educational problems and the absence of a tangential dipole in the EEG (p<0.001). Abnormal language function had a significant correlation with atypical seizure semiology (p=0.021).

Conclusion:This study shows that a significant number of children with BECTS have neuropsychological impairment and educational problems.

Similar Articles

Repeated seizures induce prefrontal growth disturbance in frontal lobe epilepsy

Author(s): Kanemura H, Sano F, Tando T, Sugita K, Aihara M

Correlation between cognition and behavior in epilepsy

Author(s): Cornaggia CM, Beghi M, Provenzi M, Beghi E

Frontal lobe epilepsy in childhood

Author(s): Sinclair DB, Wheatley M, Snyder T

MRI-based brain volumetrics: emergence of a developmental brain science

Author(s): Caviness VS Jr, Lange NT, Makris N, Herbert MR, Kennedy DN

Sequential 3-D MRI frontal volume changes in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Author(s): Kanemura H, Aihara M, Okubo T, Nakazawa S

EEG criteria predictive of complicated evolution in idiopathic rolandic epilepsy

Author(s): Massa R, de Saint-Martin A, Carcangiu R, Rudolf G, Seegmuller C, et al.

Development of mental health dysfunction in childhood epilepsy

Author(s): Noeker M, Haverkamp-Krois A, Haverkamp F

A detailed analysis of frontal lobe seizure semiology in children younger than 7 years

Author(s): Fogarasi A, Janszky J, Faveret E, Pieper T, Tuxhorn I

Repeated seizures induce prefrontal growth disturbance in frontal lobe epilepsy

Author(s): Kanemura H, Sano F, Tando T, Sugita K, Aihara M

Epileptogenesis after status epilepticus reflects age- and model-dependent plasticity

Author(s): Sankar R, Shin D, Mazarati AM, Liu H, Katsumori H, et al.

Correlates of behavior problems in children with epilepsy

Author(s): Austin JK, Risinger MW, Beckett LA

Neuropsychological and behavioral status of children with complex partial seizures

Author(s): Schoenfeld J, Seidenberg M, Woodard A, Hecox K, Inglese C, et al.

Behavioural disorders in children with epilepsy: early improvement after surgery

Author(s): Lendt M, Helmstaedter C, Kuczaty S, Schramm J, Elger CE

Recurrent seizures and behavior problems in children with first recognized seizures: a prospective study

Author(s): Austin JK, Dunn DW, Caffrey HM, Perkins SM, Harezlak J, et al.

Landau-Kleffner syndrome: a pharmacologic study of five cases

Author(s): Marescaux C, Hirsch E, Finck S, Maquet P, Schlumberger E, et al.

Efficacy and safety of add-on levetiracetam in refractory childhood epilepsy

Author(s): Kanemura H, Sano F, Tando T, Sugita K, Aihara M