Predictors of Outcome in Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy

Lia Khandareli

Center of Child Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Tbilisi, Georgia

The aim of the study was to evaluate early predictors of long term outcome of infantile epileptic encephalopathy(IEE). 36 patients with IEE were followed for more than 4 years. Clinical features assessed were: occurrence of neonatal seizures, neonatal background and ictal EEG, time of appearance of infantile spasms (IS), preexisted seizures and seizure evolution, time period between seizure appearance and treatment. Neurodevelopment was assessed before IS and at age 5. Variables were compared among groups according to the etiology (cryptogenic, prenatal, perinatal and postnatal). Predictors of poor developmental outcome were severe background EEG abnormalities in neonatal period (p<0.05), seizures before IS (p<0.02), early IS (p<0.05). Clinical type and ictal EEG of neonatal seizures did not influence developmental outcome and subsequent seizure control. Developmental outcome of IEE is diverse and is influenced by multiple factors: time and severity of brain injury, time of appearance of IS, existence of neonatal seizures, early treatment strategy.

Keywords:  infantile epileptic encephalopathy, neonatal seizures, infantile spasms, neurodevelopment, electroencephalography (EEG)