BACKGROUND: Hot water epilepsy belongs to the group of reflex epilepsies. Seizures are provoked by hot water, due to the association of both cutaneous and heat stimuli. Described mainly in India and Japan, it seems to be rare in Europe where it occurs in young children. CASE REPORTS: Five infants aged between 6 months to 2 years had seizures during bathing with activity arrest, hypotonia and vasoactive modification. Sometimes clonic movements could be observed. The diagnosis was confirmed by EEG recorded during bath in the fives cases, with video for two of them. The course of the seizures and of the psychomotor development were favorable. CONCLUSION: Hot water epilepsy is a benign epilepsy. Its incidence could be underestimated because seizures can be confused with febrile convulsions or vagal fits.
BACKGROUND: Hot water epilepsy belongs to the group of reflex epilepsies. Seizures are provoked by hot water, due to the association of both cutaneous and heat stimuli. Described mainly in India and Japan, it seems to be rare in Europe where it occurs in young children. CASE REPORTS: Five infants aged between 6 months to 2 years had seizures during bathing with activity arrest, hypotonia and vasoactive modification. Sometimes clonic movements could be observed. The diagnosis was confirmed by EEG recorded during bath in the fives cases, with video for two of them. The course of the seizures and of the psychomotor development were favorable. CONCLUSION: Hot water epilepsy is a benign epilepsy. Its incidence could be underestimated because seizures can be confused with febrile convulsions or vagal fits.