Pediatric epilepsy

摘要

This report reviews recent advances in knowledge about childhood seizure disorders. Four classification strategies use age-specific features or syndromic or electrographic aspects to categorize seizures. Diagnostic approaches reveal novel characteristics for traditional seizure types and disease states. Electroencephalographic technologies continue to improve differential diagnosis. Etiologic considerations are also aided by new neuroimaging techniques, particularly when compared with neuropathologic findings. Additional reports continue to clarify prognostic issues for different groups of children with epilepsy. Therapeutic decisions stress consideration of the total patient relative to his disease state, practical advantages of treatment, cognitive or behavioral side effects, and long-term social relationships, both within and beyond the family circle.