Clinical Spectrum and Eeg Findings of Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus in Children

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical spectrum and EEG findings ofnon-convulsive status epilepticus in children. METHODS: A total of 38 children were included in this prospective cross sectional study, having EEG suggestive of NCSE after taking informed consent from guardians, keeping EEG as gold standard tracings were reviewed according to criteria of non-convulsive status epilepticus. Their clinical features were also noted leading to non- convulsive status epilepticus. Diagnostic workup will be done to find out the underlying cause, according to the suspected etiology of non-convulsive status epilepticus. RESULTS: There were 26 male and 12 female patients, with ratio of 2:1. Non convulsive status epilepticus was most common between 2-5 years of age being 39.5%. Majority of the children presented with overlap of clinical features i. e, 25 children. The main etiology in non-convulsive status epilepticus was found to be epilepsy which was about 63.2 % (n=24). Most common EEG pattern was found to be Generalized NCSE (continuous or frequent spike, polyspikesharp wavedischarges) pattern1 in 24 children. Majority of the children who presented with non convulsive status epilepticus had normal neuroimaging (n=16), Duration of non-convulsive status epilepticus was also noted , which was more than 72 hours in 63.2% of children. CONCLUSION: Non convulsive status epilepticus is difficult to diagnose even in specialized training centers, as there are no obvious convulsions. Only way to confirm the diagnosis of non convulsive status epilepticus is keeping high index of suspicion and go for urgent EEG monitoring. There is brain damage at neuronal level which can be minimized by early identification and early intervention. Therefore, we conducted this study to guide us to determine the signs and symptoms and EEG findings of non-convulsive status epilepticus