[Prognosis of non-symptomatic epilepsy in relation to their age of onset, monitored at a neuropediatric section of regional reference over a period of three years].

AIM

To analyze the factors involved in the prognosis of non-symptomatic epilepsy (idiopathic and cryptogenic) in relation to their age of onset, monitored at a regional section of Neuropediatry reference over a period of three years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with diagnosis of non-symptomatic epilepsy supervised from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010, collecting epidemiological, clinical, complementary examinations and developmental data.

RESULTS

Of the 4595 children attended during the period, the diagnosis of epilepsy was established in 605 (13.17%): 156 (25.79%) idiopathic epilepsies and 172 (28.43%) cryptogenic epilepsies. 15.7% of cryptogenic epilepsies and 14.1% of idiopathic epilepsies are refractory to treatment. Some epileptic syndromes, such as reflex epilepsies, Dravet syndrome, Ohtahara syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, have higher rates of drug resistance. 84.62% of idiopathic epilepsies and 79.77% of cryptogenic epilepsies present no other associated neurological disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

A useful classification would be etiological, with two groups: a large group with established etiology or very likely genetic syndromes and another with no established cause. The age of onset of epilepsy in each etiological group adds prognostic orientation. Prognosis of epilepsy is worsened by refractoriness and associated neurodevelopmental disorders, and are generally worse at an earlier onset and in certain etiologies.