Studio policentrico retrospettivo sulle epilessie ad esordio nel primo anno di vita finalizzato alla elaborazione di percorsi diagnostici e linee guida

A multicenter retrospective survey was performed in four childhood epilepsy centers to define the diagnostic course in patients with epilepsy with onset in the first year of life. A total of 182 children were recruited (male 54%; family history of seizures 12%). The study documented heterogeneous seizure patterns. West syndrome (24% of cases), symptomatic focal epilepsy (24%), and idiopathic focal epilepsy (14%) were the commonest syndromes. An etiologic factor could be documented at first assessment in only 52% of cases. Etiology was however modified during follow-up in 18% of cases. In light of the sstudy results, a standard protocol was devised to be used in a prospective investigation aimed to the development of guidelines.