J Korean Child Neurol Soc.  1998 May;5(2):258-264.

Predictive Factors of Seizure Recurrence & Persistence in Benign Epilepsy of Childhood with Centrotemporal Spikes

• Han DH
• Lee HJ
• Park WI
• Lee KJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: In order to recognize predictive factors of the recurrent seizure attacks with benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spike(BECCT), we have studied the factors such as age of seizure onset, sex of the patient, frequency and duration of seizure Prior to therapy, initial antiepileptic drug, which are presumed to influence the recurrence of seizure attack.
METHODS
Among the children with BECCT, who visited the department of pediatrics, Chuncheon Sacred Heart hospital, Hallym University from Jan. 1985 to Dec. 1997, 52 patients who were followed up for more than 12 months after disappearance of the seizure, have been studied. The patients were divided into three groups, (group I; seizure duration is less than 3 months, groups II; seizure duration less than 12 months, group III; seizure duration more than 12 months) by duration of seizure recurrence, and compared with difference of seizure recurrence by predicting factor in each group. Data were analysed by using DBSTAT version 1.0 by ANOVA.
RESULTS
1) Age onset of seizure The age onset of seizure in group I is 8.6+/-2.0 years and 7.9 +/-3.5 years in group II, 6.2+/-1.7 years in group III. The younger the seizure standted, the more seizures recurred(p<0.05). Our study revealed no age differences of the seizure remission in 3 groups. 2) Sex : Among the 52 patients, 30 patients were male, 22 patients were female. The ratio of the male to female was 1:1(12/12) in group I, 1:1.5(2/3) in group II, 2.3: 1(16/7) in group III. The recurrence rate was higher in male than in female. But no statistically difference in recurrence rate by the sex was revealed. 3) Seizure duration and seizure frequency prior to therapy : In group I, pretreatment duration was 1.6+/-3.5 months, frequency of the attacks was 2.0+/-1.0. In group II, duration 1.3+/-1.2 months, frequency 3.2+/-0.5. In group III, duration 3.5+/-6.9 months, frequency 3.5+/-1.8. Our study revered statistically significant differences in values of frequencies and durations in each groups(p<0.05). 4) Initial anticonvulsant and seizure recurrence : Seizure recurred in 36% of patients treated by carbamazepine, and 55.6% of valproate, 66.7% of phenobarbital, 37.5% of diphenylhydantion. There was no significant relation between initial anticonvulsant and seizure recurrence in each group.
CONCLUSION
Our data support that age onset and seizure frequency were predictive factor fort seizure recurrence. BECCT Is a age dependent genetic disorder with variable penetrance, having longer duration of seizure with earlier onset. Clinical seizures and abnormal EEG trait tend to remit at certain age, regardless of onset age and treatment.

MeSH Terms

Age of Onset
Carbamazepine
Child
Electroencephalography
Epilepsy
Epilepsy, Rolandic*
Female
Gangwon-do
Heart
Humans
Male
Pediatrics
Penetrance
Phenobarbital
Recurrence*
Seizures*
Valproic Acid
Carbamazepine
Phenobarbital
Valproic Acid