EEG ASPECTS IN EPILEPSIES OF YOUNG CHILDREN

Abstract

Actuality: Epilepsy (EP) is a common heterogeneous neurological problem in children that exerts a significant physical, psychological, economic and social impact on children and their families. For this reason, confirming the diagnosis as early as possible is essential. Aim of the study: identification and characterization of specific types of brain electrical activity associated with different forms of epilepsy in young children. Material and methods: 22 children, aged between 3 months and 3 years, diagnosed with various forms of PE were included in the study. All recordings were made using the Neuron Spectrum 5 system, known for its accuracy in detecting epileptic activity in young children. Standardized EEG caps with 16 electrodes, adapted for the children’s head sizes, were used. Statistical methods used: t-student test. Results. Of the 22 children who were investigated, 15 children (68.2%) – were in medicated sleep, in physiological sleep – 6 children (27.3%) and 1 child in wake fulness (4.5%). All 22 children monitored for various types of PE had different variants of brain electrical activity: paroxysmal activity in the form of peaks and polypeak, primary generalized slow wave of epileptiform character; polymorphic hypervoltage slow waves; atypical peak complexes; flattened diffuse background track, etc. Conclusions. EEG recordings allowed early identification of epileptic activity, even in the absence of overt clinical seizures. Distinct patterns of epileptic activity were observed in the children’s EEGs.