Status epilepticus of benign partial epilepsies in children: report of two cases.

Benign partial epilepsies of childhood (BPEC) are one of the most frequent types of epilepsy in school-age children. Status epilepticus (SE) of these conditions have not yet been reported. Two children with clinical and EEG features consistent with the diagnosis of BPEC-SE are presented. In neither case did SE respond to current antiepileptic medications and stopped only after administration of steroids. At follow-up 1 and 2 years post SE, neurologic and intellectual development have been normal. Differential diagnoses included an atypical benign partial epilepsy, epilepsy with electrical status epilepticus during slow sleep, acquired epileptic aphasia, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and epilepsia partialis continua.