Abstracts

Rationale: Early onset Childhood absence epilepsy (ECAE), before the age of 3 years, has been considered a more heterogenous and often severe condition, compared to the typical presentation between ages 4-10 years. However, recent cohort study found no significant differences in outcome when compared with typical Childhood absence epilepsy. We decided to report our experience when comparing these groups of patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study at the Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Chart review of patients with an electro-clinical diagnosis of CAE diagnosed between January 2010 and January 2012 were reviewed. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi square and Fisher's Exact tests. Results: 52 patients were diagnosed as having Absence epilepsy. 4 patients (8%) had early-onset and 43 (82%) patients had typical CAE and 5, Juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE). Generalized tonic-clonic were reported in 1 (25%) male patient with early-onset and 5 (11%) classical CAE. The EEG findings were similar in both groups. There were no significant differences in seizure control, anticonvulsant medications between CAE and ECAE groups. Poor seizure control was reported in 1 patient with ECAE and in 4 (10%) patients with CAE. Psychiatric co morbidities occurred in 50% of patients with CAE and in 2 patients with ECAE predominantly ADHD symptoms. 2 Patients with refractory CAE seizures and 1 patient with refractory ECAE were tested for glucose transporter defect type 1 with all 3 patients testing negative Conclusions: We did not observe significant differences with respect to psychiatric co morbidities, seizure control, anticonvulsants used or electroencephalographic findings between early-onset and classical childhood absence epilepsies.