New Study Highlights Potential Factors Associated With Refractory

A new study has shed light on potential clinical or electroencephalographic (EEG) features associated with hard-to-treat cases of benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS).

Carried out by Sichuan University in China and published in the Journal of Child Neurology, the study looked at a total of 87 children with typical BCECTS, who were divided into two groups: patients whose seizures were controlled with monotherapy, and those requiring more than one medication.

A total of 63 children achieved seizure freedom with monotherapy, with the remainder requiring two drugs. Diffusing foci at the follow-up EEG and delayed treatment were shown to be the two main risk factors associated with more refractory cases.

Additionally, the findings showed that delayed diagnosis and nonadherence to treatment contributed to delayed treatment.

The researchers concluded: “Diffusing foci on EEG and delayed treatment are associated with more frequent seizures and refractoriness in BCECTS. Diagnostic delays and nonadherence hindered timely care, which may represent opportunities for improved intervention.”

BCECTS is the most common idiopathic partial epilepsy in children, though it can be challenging to treat.

Reposted from Epilepsy Research UK