Clinical Features of GEFS+ and its Neurological Outcome

Kim, Eun Joo; Sung, Tae Jung; Shin, Seon Hee; Kim, Sung Koo; Lee, Kon Hee; Yoon, Hae Sun

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical and electroencephalographic features as well as the neurologic outcomes of GEFS+(Genenralized Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus).
METHODS
We evaluated 55 children with GEFS+ who admitted at the Department of Peditrics, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital from 1993 to 2004. We formed them into two groups by age of first febrile seizure; Group A(<6 years) and Group B(> or = 6 years). We analyzed the clinical features, electroencephalographic findings and the neurological outcomes of the subjects.
RESULTS
The mean age of the initial febrile seizures of 55 subjects was 3 years and 9 months. 41 subjects had their initial febrile seizures under 6 years of age while 14 subjects after 6 years of age. 17 subjects had family history of seizures. The mean frequency of seizure is 4.4 times and the types of convulsions were mainly generalized. Nineteen(37.3%) showed abnormal finding on EEG and twenty three(41%) were treated with antiepileptic drug(AED) for long-term prophylaxis. Never the less, there was no subject with abnormalities in the neurological outcomes. The group with the initial seizures occurred under 6 years of age had more family history of seizures, higher frequency of total seizures, febrile seizures, and was administered with AEDs longer than the other group.
CONCLUSION
In our study of GEFS+, the clinical features and the results of the electroencephalograms were various. While there were cases with a need of long term administration of AEDs, few cases of neurological abnormalities or developmental delay were seen. The group of the initial febrile seizures under 6 years of age revealed more family history of seizures, higher frequency of seizures than the other group.