The clinical characterizations of benign partial epilepsy in infancy.

The aim of this study is to clarify the detailed clinical features of benign partial epilepsy in infancy. The subject of the study was 33 patients with benign partial epilepsy in infancy confirmed by a long-term follow-up beyond 8 years of age. The data were obtained from medical records of the patients in combination with the data obtained from telephone interview. The median age at the first and last seizure was 5 and 8 months, respectively. In 26 patients, seizures disappeared within 3 months after the onset. Family history of benign partial epilepsy in infancy was seen in 17 patients. The median number of seizures was 7. A cluster of seizures was observed in 26 patients. The type of seizures was complex partial seizures alone in 6 patients, secondarily generalized seizures alone in 9, and both types in 18. Decreased responsiveness, lateral eye deviation, and cyanosis were commonly observed. Initial interictal electroencephalograms were normal in all patients. However, paroxysmal discharges were recognized in 2 patients in the second EEG during the first year of life. The main features of benign partial epilepsy in infancy were a high incidence of a cluster of seizures, short persistence of seizures, and normal initial interictal EEGs.