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Natural History of Absence Epilepsy in Children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Elaine C. Wirrell
Elaine C. Wirrell*
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosciences, University of Calgary, and Division of Pediatric Neurology, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, AB Canada
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Abstract

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Absence seizures may be seen in a variety of epileptic syndromes in childhood. Identification of the specific syndrome is important to determine medical prognosis. With childhood absence epilepsy, approximately two thirds of children can be expected to enter long-term remission, while in juvenile absence epilepsy, seizure control is often achieved, however, lifelong treatment is usually required. Other absence syndromes have a poorer prognosis, with lower rates of seizure control and remission. Psychosocial outcome is often poor, even in patients with more benign forms of absence epilepsy. Remission of epilepsy does not preclude psychosocial morbidity.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ:

Des crises d’absence peuvent être observées dans différents syndromes épileptiques de l’enfance. L’identification du syndrome est importante pour déterminer le pronostic médical. Dans l’épilepsie de type absence de l’enfant, on peut s’attendre à une rémission à long terme chez à peu près les deux tiers des enfants. Chez les adolescents, bien qu’on puisse généralement contrôler les crises, un traitement à vie est habituellement nécessaire. Certains syndromes d’absence épileptique comportent un pronostic plus défavorable et le taux de contrôle des crises et de rémission sont plus faibles. Les répercussions psychosociales sont plus lourdes même chez les patients qui présentent des formes plus bénignes d’absence épileptique. La rémission ne prévient pas nécessairement la morbidité psychosociale.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 30 , Issue 3 , August 2003 , pp. 184 - 188
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2003

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