Clinicoetiological profile of epileptic syndromes in infants and early childhood
Emad E.-D.M.H. El-Daly, Mohammed A. Aladawy, Amir A.H. AbdelrahmanBackground and aim
Epilepsy presenting during infancy carries a high burden of morbidity and developmental impairment. Accurate profiling is essential for prognosis and management. We aimed to evaluate the clinical and etiological patterns of epileptic syndromes in infants aged 1–36 months and assess treatment responses.
Patients and methods
This observational study included 140 infants and children diagnosed with epilepsy syndromes at the pediatric neurology units of Al-Azhar Assiut and Assiut Child Hospital from September 1, 2023 to September 30 , 2025. Demographic data with full history, systemic examination, and full neurological examination were performed to all participants, as well as MRI brain, electroencephalography (EEG), metabolic workup, and genetic analysis done for selected cases.
Results
Structural 54/140 (38.57%) and genetic etiologies represented the majority of identified causes. Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies were common among early‑onset cases distributed as less than 6 months (46/135; 34.07%), 6–12 months (34/135; 25.19%). Males predominate (74/140; 52.86%), with positive family history in 91/140 (65%) and consanguinity in 63/140 (45%). Generalized tonic–clonic seizures were the most frequent type (53/140; 37.86%). Epileptic syndromes were led by typical febrile convulsions (27/140; 19.29%), benign familial infantile epilepsy, and early-onset occipital epilepsy (each 16/140; 11.43%). EEG abnormalities were detected in 95/140 (67.85%) patients and correlated significantly with treatment response (
Conclusion
Early etiological identification and syndromic classification improve management and may predict treatment response. A comprehensive evaluation, including EEG and MRI, is strongly recommended in infants with epilepsy.