[Spectrum analysis of the EEG in children and adolescents with epilepsy: general characteristics and pathophysiological interpretation of the data].

Spectral EEG analysis (fast Fourier transform) was performed in 48 patients with epilepsy, 4 patients after one epileptic seizure, 12 sibs of epileptic patients, 18 children with febrile convulsions, 18 patients with vasoautonomic dystonia, and 23 normal children. Means, standard deviations, standard errors of the means were calculated for the spectra. A distinct EEG type was found characteristic of the epileptic patients: power increase by the factor of 5 to 10 as compared to normals, predominantly in theta band. This EEG type was shared by epileptic patients and their sibs. Both had peculiar patterns on hyperventilation.