Abstract

ARANGUIZ R, JUAN; HERNANDEZ CH, MARTA; ESCOBAR H, RAÚL  and  MESA L, TOMAS. Non Convulsive Status Epilepticus in Children. Rev. chil. pediatr. [online]. 2010, vol.81, n.2, pp. 115-122. ISSN 0370-4106.  doi: 10.4067/S0370-41062010000200003.

Introduction: Status Epilepticus (SE) is a medical emergency with high morbimortality. Non-convulsive Status Epilepticus (NCSE) is defined as electroencephalographic crises in the absence of clinical motor symptoms. Objective: A restrospective study of NCSE in our population. Patients and Methods: Charts of 30 patients in a Child Neurology Clinic seen between December 1999 and June 2008 were reviewed. According to the characteristics of the episode, they were classified as a) Typical absence, b) Atypical absence, c) Partial Complex episode. Results: Of the 30 patients, 15 (50%) were males. Median age was 46 months. Clinically, 63% of the children suffered from complex partial seizures, 30% atypical absences, 7% typical absences. Cryptogenic SE was most frequent (47%), with a mortality of 3%. Discussion: Pediatric patients have a higher risk of NCSE than adults do. Most patients already carried a diagnosis of Epilepsy, cerebral infarcts were the second most frequent cause of NCSE. They should all be monitored through EEGs. Neuroimages are of great value since outcome depends on the etiology. In summary, clinical suspicion, a history of epilepsy supported by an EEG (best if prolonged) allow early diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords : Non-convulsive Status Epilepticus; children; Status Epilepticus; electroencephalogram; Cryptogenic status.