Diagnostics and treatment of the structural forms of epilepsy combined with anomalies of brain development in early children age

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15574/SP.2025.4(148).177181

Keywords:

children, structural epilepsy, Arnold-Chiari syndrome

Abstract

It is known that structural epilepsy occurs frequently at children’s age. Moreover, structural epilepsies are formed in some cases because of the pathological influence of congenital brain anomalies.

Aim - using the clinical case to present the features of the starts of structural epilepsy based on congenital brain anomalies in early age children and approach treatment for them.

The presented clinical case in the article showed the first focal epileptic seizures appeared at the age of 3.5 years old in the patient with Arnold-Chiari syndrome. Valproic acid has been prescribed as the first medication. The combined therapy included lamotrigine and diacarb has been prescribed for the incomplete control treatment the epileptic seizures in the patient. The next examination we carried out in 14 patients early children age with structural epilepsy caused congenital brain anomalies. Frequent predominately focal epileptic seizures started during the first fourth years of life have been found in the patients. The prescribed combined anticonvulsant therapy was effective in the patients. 

Conclusions. Congenital brain anomalies as a cause of structural epilepsy in form predominately of  focal epileptic seizures appeared in early children age. The prescribed therapy of epilepsy depended on the forms of them and children’s age. The next use of genetic investigation is important for confirming a possible genetic anomaly.

The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee for all participants. Informed consent was obtained from parents of child.

No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.

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Published

2025-06-15