Características de la epilepsia antes del primer año en el Hospital Pediátrico de Centro Habana durante el período 2004-2009.

Introduction: Epilepsy of early presentation has a special relevance by its association with poor prognosis related with cause. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out of epilepsy presented before first year of life, with first afebrile crisis and no acute symptomatic. The sample included cases assisted in Neuropediatric Service of Pediatric University Hospital of Centro Habana form January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2009. The patients were compared in the following categories: idiopathic, symptomatic, and probably symptomatic. Results: 41 patients were included: 23 with idiopathic epilepsy, 17 with symptomatic epilepsy and 1 with probably symptomatic. In children with idiopathic epilepsy 14 have family history of epilepsy. In symptomatic epilepsy were reported 29 prenatal antecedents. 20 patients have more than one prenatal and familiar antecedent. The more frequent cause was included in prenatal origin (15) and perinatal (10), combined in one patient with more than one origin. According electroencephalographic characteristic: 12 are generalized, 26 without generalization, and 3 with hypsarrhythmia and West syndrome. In relation with the psychomotor development normality was detected in 22 patients, 8 have mild retardation and 11 moderate to severe retardation. Conclusions: This study is compatible with the existence of benign epilepsies and good prognosis before first year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]