INTRACTABLE EPILEPSY IN INFANCY EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL ASSESSMENT

Abstract

Most children who develop epilepsy have a likelihood of achieving remission and, eventually, discontinue medications. An important minority, I 0-20%; however, may develop medically

intractable epilepsy despite the introduction of new antiepileptic drugs and proper monitoring methods. In infancy, intractable seizures are rather common. The immature brain is specially susceptible to seizures. Intractable epilepsy represents a challenge in terms of why and how it develops and whether the condition• can be prevented by early and adequate treatment.

This study aimed at detennining risk factors for intractable infantile epileptic seizures. Early identification of those who are prone to develop intractability would help in counseling families and in, selecting patients for polytherapy regimen or epilepsy surgery.

The sh1dy was conducted on 120 epileptic infants who were being followed at the neuropediatric outpatient clinic in The New Children Hospital, Cairo University during the period from October, 1994 to February, 1997. The infants were selected according to specific criteria so as to fit in one of two groups as cases (the intractable patients) and controls (the responsive group).