Clinical, electroencephalographic, and behavioral features of temporal lobe epilepsy in childhood

J Child Neurol. 2004 Jun;19(6):418-23. doi: 10.1177/088307380401900604.

Abstract

This study describes the clinical, electroencephalographic, and behavioral features of 36 children with temporal lobe epilepsy. Patients were divided into two groups: group A, with 6 patients (< 6 years), and group B, with 30 patients (6-18 years). Statistical analysis was performed considering the significance level of .05. Regarding the clinical features of the focal seizures, motor components were more frequently seen in children younger than 6 years of age (P < .01), whereas automatisms were more frequently seen in patients older than 6 years of age (P < .05). Associated myoclonic seizures were more frequent in the younger age group (P < .01). Behavioral disorders such as hyperactivity and aggressiveness and speech delay were more common in the younger age group (P < .05). Temporal lobe epilepsy in children younger than 6 years of age is more frequently associated with motor components, myoclonic seizures, behavioral disorders, and speech delay. Conversely, temporal lobe epilepsy in older patients has frequent automatisms.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aggression
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / etiology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / complications
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / pathology*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Language Development Disorders / etiology
  • Male
  • Myoclonus
  • Seizures / physiopathology*