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Late-onset spasms (LOS) are epileptic spasms starting after the first year of life. Our aim was to assess the electroclinical features and the follow-up of the patients with this particular type of epileptic seizure. We retrospectively included all patients with LOS confirmed by electroencephalography between 1989 and 2008. Clinical and electroencephalographic findings at diagnosis and during follow-up were collected. The Vineland scale was used to evaluate the neuropsychological outcome. We report 19 patients with LOS of 240 patients with recorded epileptic spasms. Eighteen patients had an epileptic encephalopathy with late-onset spasms. The ictal electroencephalography (EEG) showed a focal or generalized discharge of triphasic slow-waves, slow-spikes, or slow spikes-waves with fast activities. The interictal EEG usually showed focal or generalized slow-waves or slow spikes-waves without hypsarhythmia. LOS were controlled in only six patients. Three developed typical Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and 10 had a severe epileptic encephalopathy. Neuropsychological outcome was evaluated in 15 patients with the Vineland scale. Cognitive functions were normal in only one patient, whereas severe cognitive delay was observed in 12 of 15. Epileptic spasms may appear after the age of one. They are more frequently observed in patients with epileptic encephalopathy. In few patients this type of seizure was observed before the patients fulfill Lennox-Gastaut syndrome criteria. In one patient, we diagnosed a focal epilepsy with seizures occurring in cluster. When LOS are related to an epileptic encephalopathy, this epileptic syndrome seems to be linked to refractory epilepsy and severe cognitive outcome unrelated to the etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Benign myoclonic epilepsy in infants (BMEI) is a rare epileptic syndrome characterized only by generalized myoclonic seizures (MSs) in normal children during the first 2 years. Our aim was to assess the electroclinical features and the follow-up of this syndrome. Methods: BMEI was confirmed by electroencephalogram (EEG) in four neuropediatric units in France between 1981 and 2002. Clinical and electroencephalographic findings at diagnosis and during the follow-up were collected. The Vineland scale or Wechsler scale or both were used to perform neuropsychological evaluations. Results: We report 34 patients with BMEI characterized by MSs occurring many times a day. The ictal EEG showed a generalized discharge of polyspikes, polyspikes-and-waves, or spikes-and-waves. The interictal EEG was usually normal. A family history of febrile seizures (FSs) or epilepsy was noted in six patients. A history of FSs was noted in 11 patients. Eleven patients had reflex MSs. Monotherapy with valproic acid was effective in 23 of 30 treated patients. The onset of epilepsy was known in all patients. Four patients had seizures after the initial symptoms. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy developed in two patients, and cryptogenic partial epilepsy in another. Neuropsychological outcome was evaluated in 20 patients (10 with Wechsler scales and 17 with the Vineland scale). Cognitive functions were normal in 17 patients, whereas developmental delay was observed in three others. Conclusions: BMEI is clinically characterized by myoclonic seizures involving the upper part of the body, occurring many times a day. The ictal EEG showed a generalized discharge of polyspikes, polyspikes-and-waves, or spikes-and-waves. The interictal EEG was usually normal. Reflex MSs were frequently observed, suggesting that two distinctive syndromes are not necessary. BMEI may be followed by juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Despite a generally favorable neuropsychological outcome, mental retardation can be observed more frequently than in the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]