Clinical Features of Nocturnal Seizure in Childhood

Lee, Jun Su; Kim, Jung; Yoo, Hwang Jae

Abstract

PURPOSE: Nocturnal seizure is a common seizure disorder in childhood. But there are a few study about nocturnal seizure. To be a great of help, We investigated clinical characteristics, response of treatment and prognosis of nocturnal seiuzure in childhood.
METHODS
From January to December 2001, We selected patients who had nocturnal seizure in epilepsy patients. Total 31 patients was selected and we investigated age distribution, sex ratio, type of seizure, EEG finding, brain imaging study, treatment and prognosis.
RESULTS
Man and woman's ratio was no significant difference, and age distribution was mostly from 3 years old to 12 years old. Partial seizure was showed in 30 patients (96.8%). Among that patients secondary generalization of partial seizure was showed in 21 patients(67.7%). In EEG, epileptiform discharges in centrotemporal region were showed in 17 patients(54.8%), occipital region in 5 patients(16.1%), central region in 4 patients (12.9%). Brain imaging studies were normal in all patients. The most common cause of nocturnal seizure was benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes(24 patients, 77.4%). Benign childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms were showed 5 patients(16.1 %). Nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy was showed 1 patient(3.2%). 28 patients(90.3%) were treated with monotherapy. They has been no seizure during 6 months after treatment. 3 patients(9.7%) were treated with two AED therapy. They has been also no seizure during 6 months after add-on therapy.
CONCLUSION
Nocturnal seizure in childhood was mostly occurred from 3 years old to 12 years old. Mostly they were partial seizure with secondary generalization and good response on AED medication and good prognosis. Therefore carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine monotherpy is more effective than valproic acid.