Electroclinical features of absence seizures in sleep

Lynette G Sadleir; Kevin Farrell; Sherry Smith; Mary B Connolly; Ingrid E Scheffer

doi:10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2010.12.009

Electroclinical features of absence seizures in sleep

Epilepsy Res. 2011 Feb;93(2-3):216-20. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2010.12.009. Epub 2011 Jan 20.

Authors

Lynette G Sadleir¹, Kevin Farrell, Sherry Smith, Mary B Connolly, Ingrid E Scheffer

Affiliation

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand. lynette.sadleir@otago.ac.nz

PMID: 21255980
DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2010.12.009

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze electroclinical features of absence seizures during sleep.

Principal results: 30 children with genetic generalized epilepsy had 52 paroxysms of GSW >2s during sleep. 18/52 (35%) demonstrated a clinical sign. Ictal GSW lasted an average of 6.5s.

Conclusion: Motor manifestations are seen during GSW>2s in sleep. 72% likely represent true ictal motor features while the rest may be serendipitous sleep phenomenon.

MeSH terms

Child
Child, Preschool
Electroencephalography*
Epilepsy, Absence / physiopathology*
Epilepsy, Generalized / genetics
Epilepsy, Generalized / physiopathology
Female
Humans
Male
Movement / physiology
Sleep / physiology*