Electroclinical Effect of Steroid in Patients With Benign Childhood Epilepsy With Centrotemporal Spikes
Electroclinical Effect of Steroid in Patients With Benign Childhood Epilepsy With Centrotemporal Spikes
Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes is the most common type of focal epilepsy in
 children. It is known to be age-dependent and presumably genetic. Age of onset ranges from
 one to fourteen years and it represents fifteen percent to twenty five percent of epilepsy in
 children under 15 years of age.
Generally, Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes is characterized by infrequent focal
 sensorimotor seizures in the face during sleep, which may secondarily generalize, along with
 spike-wave discharges, reflecting nonlesional cortical excitability from rolandic regions.

 The prognosis is usually considered to be excellent. Over the past years, however, some
 investigators have questioned whether Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes is indeed
 benign, considering the variety of different presentations associated with the disorder.It is
 not uncommon for Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes to be associated with
 neuropsychological deficits, such as linguistic, cognitive, and behavioral impairment. In
 particular, reading difficulties and speech/language disorders are more common in children
 with Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes than in healthy controls.Various
 neuropsychological deficits seem to be very dependent on the spike index, as well as the
 predominant localization of epileptiform discharges.Furthermore, the frequency of
 epileptiform discharges is closely related not only to the degree of neuropsychological
 deficits, but also to an atypical evolution of benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes.

 The high comorbid prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and epilepsy
 suggests that there is a bidirectional relationship between these disorders .Cognitive
 impairment and attention problems are particularly crucial issues in children with epilepsy
 who are in a vigorous phase of neurodevelopment.

 Resolution of continuous spike-and-wave during sleep had been achieved with conventional
 antiepileptic drugs including ethosuximide, valproic acid, levetiracetam, and sulthiame. When
 these agents fail to normalize the EEG, a trial with second-line agents such as steroids or
 high-dose diazepam is attempted.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  History and EEG findings of benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Genetic disorders.

 -  Metabolic or neurodegenerative disease.

 -  Gross motor delay.